Vanuatu: environment

What are Vanuatu's climate change targets?

Vanuatu's third nationally determined contribution, submitted in September 2025, sets an economy-wide aim of reducing emissions to 68.3% of current levels by 2035, according to the UNDP Climate Promise summary for Vanuatu. It refers explicitly to the 1.5°C goal and covers energy, transport, agriculture, forestry and land use, and waste.

On adaptation it sets priorities for food and water security, coastal and ocean resilience, health, disaster risk reduction and infrastructure, with dedicated targets on loss and damage. UNDP says Vanuatu identifies about US$3 billion of finance needs over the next decade and plans a Climate Finance Country Platform to coordinate funding. A nationally determined contribution is the climate plan each country submits under the Paris Agreement.

Official sources: UNDP Climate Promise: Vanuatu

How much of Vanuatu's electricity comes from renewable energy?

Renewable sources produced 18.9 GWh of Vanuatu's electricity in 2023, against 64.3 GWh from oil, or about 23% of the total, according to the electricity generation data on the Pacific Community's Pacific Data Hub. Hydropower supplied 9.1 GWh, solar 7 GWh and wind 2.8 GWh.

The share is worked out from the generation figures. In 2021 renewables produced 19.9 GWh and oil 59.2 GWh, a renewable share of about 25%, so the share was lower in 2022 and 2023. The 2023 figures are the same as those for 2022.

Official sources: SPC Pacific Data Hub: Power generation

What are Vanuatu's CO2 emissions per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Vanuatu was 0.9 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 1.0 tonnes; its low point was 2006, at 0.4 tonnes. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and Vanuatu placed 21st highest of 30. Worldwide: 133rd of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Vanuatu emit?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 0.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The peak was 0.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2011 and the low 0.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2017. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Vanuatu placed 22nd highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 171st of 186.

What share of Vanuatu's energy comes from renewables?

In 2022, the renewable share of final energy use in Vanuatu was 25.0%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. The peak was 55.3% in 2006 and the low 24.6% in 2021. It is 7th highest of 14 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 18.6%. World rank, highest first: 30th of 53.

What share of Vanuatu is covered by forest?

74.6%: that is forest area as a share of land in Vanuatu for 2024, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 53.6%, and Vanuatu placed 5th highest of 29. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 11th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Vanuatu?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Vanuatu was 7.0 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 8.8 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2020, at 6.1 micrograms per cubic metre. It is 19th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre. World rank, highest first: 173rd of 192.

What share of Vanuatu is protected land?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Vanuatu at 4.8% in 2025. No year since 2013 has been higher. It is 23rd highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 15.8%. Worldwide: 166th of 192.