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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Comoros

Comoros, a lower-middle-income island nation in the Indian Ocean, faces significant climate vulnerability as the 29th-most vulnerable country to climate change globally, with limited adaptive capacity (163rd in readiness). The archipelago experiences substantial deforestation, losing 6.6 kha of tree cover from 2001-2024, and faces escalating natural disaster risks including tropical cyclones that cause severe economic damage.

Air Quality Index

Moderate

6.5/10

Stable trend

Air quality data for Comoros is limited in public databases. The country faces challenges from indoor air pollution and ambient air pollution, with age-standardized death rates tracked by health authorities. Limited industrial monitoring and urban air quality assessment infrastructure constrains comprehensive AQI reporting.

Water Quality

Moderate

5.5/10

Comoros faces significant water quality challenges linked to coastal resource degradation and limited governance infrastructure. Open access to coastal commons drives resource degradation, requiring enforceable governance systems to regulate marine and coastal water exploitation. Access to clean water and sanitation remains a development priority under SDG 6.

Water safety standards require strengthening through improved governance and treatment infrastructure. The World Bank identifies open-access coastal commons as a principal driver of water resource degradation.

Recycling System

Comoros lacks comprehensive public data on formal recycling infrastructure and rates. Waste management systems remain underdeveloped, with limited segregation and recycling facilities. The country prioritizes SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) but faces implementation challenges due to limited resources and infrastructure investment.

Green Spaces

Comoros has experienced significant forest loss, declining from 2000 baseline levels. Between 2001-2024, the country lost 6.6 kha of tree cover, representing 5.0% of the 2000 forest cover area and generating 3.2 Mt of CO₂e emissions. Recent deforestation alerts (78 alerts in October 2025) indicate ongoing pressure on remaining forest resources.

Forest Coverage: 24.5%

Comoros maintains protected forest areas under international frameworks, though specific park counts and detailed protection status require further documentation. Forest conservation efforts focus on reducing deforestation rates and maintaining biodiversity.

Environmental Policies

Comoros has committed to international environmental frameworks including the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. The country's environmental policies address climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and natural resource management. Government effectiveness in environmental enforcement remains limited (42.5 score on governance index), constraining policy implementation.

Key Policies:

•Paris Agreement commitment and climate adaptation planning
•Sustainable Development Goals integration (SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 14 Life Below Water, SDG 15 Life on Land)
•Coastal resource governance and marine protection initiatives
•Disaster risk reduction and climate resilience programs

Renewable Energy: Renewable energy data for Comoros is not publicly available in comprehensive databases. The country's energy sector remains dependent on hydrocarbon imports, with limited renewable energy infrastructure development documented.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Comoros faces extreme natural disaster vulnerability from tropical cyclones and severe weather events. Between 2018-2023, 11 tropical depressions or cyclones impacted the country. Cyclone Kenneth (2019) caused 14% of GDP in damage, reducing economic growth from 3.6% to 1.9%. Annual climate-related disaster costs average $5.7 million (9.2% of GDP).

Tropical cyclones and depressionsExtreme precipitation eventsStorm surge and coastal floodingLandslides

Climate Change Impacts: Comoros experiences accelerating climate change impacts with extreme vulnerability. Extreme precipitation events with 100-year return periods are projected to occur 74% more frequently by mid-century (2035-2064). The archipelago ranks 29th globally in climate vulnerability but only 163rd in adaptive capacity. Rising sea levels threaten coastal infrastructure and communities. Increased cyclone intensity and frequency directly correlate with warming Indian Ocean temperatures, amplifying economic losses and humanitarian risks.

Sustainability Initiatives

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Comoros implements climate adaptation programs through international partnerships and national frameworks. The World Bank's Country Climate and Development Report (2025) identifies opportunities to strengthen preparedness and resilience against climate change challenges. Adaptation priorities include disaster risk reduction, coastal protection, and livelihood diversification in vulnerable communities.

Forest Conservation and Deforestation Reduction

Comoros participates in global forest monitoring through Global Forest Watch initiatives. Recent deforestation alerts (78 in October 2025) indicate ongoing monitoring and enforcement efforts. The country aims to reduce tree cover loss through protected area management and sustainable land-use practices, though implementation capacity remains limited.

Coastal and Marine Resource Governance

The World Bank identifies enforceable governance systems as critical for regulating coastal commons access and resource exploitation. Initiatives focus on sustainable marine resource management, addressing open-access degradation through institutional frameworks that accommodate diverse marine environments while protecting local livelihoods.

Wildlife & Nature

Comoros CoelacanthVulnerable

Indian Ocean Marine EcosystemsVulnerable

Comoros Forest FaunaVulnerable

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