Venezuela: environment

What are the CO2 emissions of Venezuela?

Venezuela emitted 3.39 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to World Bank data. Total greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide, were 167.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, according to the World Bank total greenhouse gas series.

Both figures come from the EDGAR database of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre and exclude emissions and removals from land use, land-use change and forestry. National inventories submitted to the UN climate convention can differ.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Venezuela · World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions, Venezuela

What is the air quality like in Venezuela?

The average person in Venezuela was exposed to 19.2 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to World Bank data. The WHO air quality guideline for annual PM2.5 is 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

The figure is a population-weighted annual mean, modelled from satellite data and ground measurements, so it shows long-term exposure rather than daily air quality in a given city. No national air quality monitoring data were found on reachable Venezuelan official sites on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Venezuela

How much of Venezuela is covered by forest?

Forest covered 53.4% of Venezuela's land area in 2024, according to World Bank data from the FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment.

The FAO counts land of more than half a hectare with trees taller than 5 metres and canopy cover of more than 10%, excluding land mainly used for farming or towns. Changes in this share over time show net deforestation or forest gain.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area (% of land area), Venezuela

How much of Venezuela's energy is renewable?

Renewable energy made up 33.7% of Venezuela's total final energy consumption in 2021, according to World Bank data from the IEA, IRENA, UN Statistics Division, World Bank and WHO tracking report. Access to electricity reached 100% of the population in 2024, according to the World Bank electricity access series.

The renewable share covers all final energy use, including transport fuels, so it is lower than the renewable share of electricity alone.

Official sources: World Bank: Renewable energy consumption, Venezuela · World Bank: Access to electricity, Venezuela

How much CO2 does Venezuela emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Venezuela at 3.4 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.7 tonnes (2021) to 6.6 tonnes (2012). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and Venezuela placed 9th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 78th of 186.

What are Venezuela's total greenhouse gas emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Venezuela was 167 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 141 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2021) to 285 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2012). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Venezuela placed 5th highest of 33. Worldwide: 40th of 186.

What share of Venezuela's energy comes from renewables?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Venezuela was 33.7%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 18.9%; Venezuela is 9th highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 73rd highest.

How much of Venezuela is forest?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Venezuela was 53.4% in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 50.6%; Venezuela is 12th highest of 32. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 44th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Venezuela?

19.2 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Venezuela for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 24.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2010 and the low 18.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2021. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre, and Venezuela placed 9th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 90th highest.

How much of Venezuela is in national parks and reserves?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Venezuela was 56.8% in 2025. The peak was 56.9% in 2020 and the low 54.1% in 2013. Latin America & Caribbean median: 20.1%; Venezuela is 1st highest of 33. Worldwide: 2nd of 192.

What is water stress in Venezuela?

7.5%: that is water stress in Venezuela for 2022, according to the FAO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 17th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 7.7%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 103rd highest.