Dominica flagEnvironment & Sustainability Guide · Dominica

Environment & Sustainability Guide in Dominica

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies

Dominica, known as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, boasts excellent environmental quality with 60% forest coverage and strong biodiversity protection, but faces high natural disaster risks from hurricanes and climate change impacts like intensified storms and sea level rise. Air quality is stable with no available AQI data, indicating low pollution levels typical of its rural landscape. Sustainability efforts focus on geothermal energy and plastic bans, though specific recycling and renewable metrics are unavailable.

Air Quality Index

0510
Excellent
8.5/10(AQI: N/A)
Stable trend

Dominica's air quality remains stable with no current AQI or PM data available, reflecting low industrial activity and rural character. Limited pollution sources contribute to generally good air, though volcanic activity can cause occasional ashfall.

Water Quality

0510
Excellent
8.5/10

Dominica's water quality is generally good, with rainwater harvesting common and surface waters protected by extensive forests. Most households access safe drinking water through treatment, though post-hurricane contamination risks exist. Government monitors rivers and springs regularly.

93% of population has access to safely managed drinking water services.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure is limited with no specific rate data available; efforts focus on waste reduction and composting. Government promotes separation at source, but formal programs are developing post-Maria.

Recycling Rate: %

Green Spaces

Dominica features 60% forest coverage with extensive protected areas including Morne Trois Pitons National Park (UNESCO site). Over 20% of land is formally protected, preserving rainforests and biodiversity hotspots.

Forest Coverage: 60.0%
National Parks: 1
Key sites: Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Central Forest Reserve.

Environmental Policies

Dominica ratified the Paris Agreement and aims for climate resilience through its National Adaptation Plan. Key policies include geothermal energy development targeting 30MW by 2025 and single-use plastic bans since 2019.

Key Policies:
  • Paris Agreement Ratification 2016
  • Plastic Bag Ban 2019
  • Geothermal Development Act
Renewable Energy: 15-30MW geothermal capacity; 40-60% renewable energy mix.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Dominica faces high risks from hurricanes, landslides, and earthquakes due to its volcanic island location. Hurricane Maria (2017) destroyed 90% of buildings, causing 31 deaths and $1.37B damage.

hurricaneslandslidesearthquakesvolcanic activity
Climate Change Impacts: Temperatures rose 0.8°C from 1991-2020; hurricane intensity increased with Maria's Category 5 winds. Precipitation patterns show wetter wet seasons (+15% rainfall) and sea level rise of 3.5mm/year threatening coasts. Extreme weather frequency up 20% since 2000 per regional models.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Dominica pursues geothermal energy with a 10MW plant operational since 2017, targeting 30MW total to achieve high renewable penetration and reduce fossil fuel imports.

Waste Management

Post-Maria waste recovery included composting and recycling drives; ongoing initiatives promote organic waste diversion and regional plastic waste management.

Climate Resilience

National Resilience Development Strategy (NRDS) builds climate-resilient infrastructure and early warning systems after 2017 hurricanes.

Wildlife & Nature

Dominica Parrot (Sisserou)Endangered
Jacquot ParrotVulnerable
Boiling Lake MicrobesCommon