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Environment & Sustainability Guide · Dominican Republic

Environment & Sustainability Guide in Dominican Republic

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies

The Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation with diverse ecosystems, contends with climate change impacts including warmer temperatures, rising seas, and frequent hurricanes. Forest coverage is approximately 40%, protecting biodiversity, but deforestation and urbanization pose threats. Government initiatives promote renewables and protected areas, though data gaps exist in air quality and recycling metrics. Natural disaster risk is high due to its hurricane-prone location.

Air Quality Index

0510

Moderate

6.5/10

Stable trend

Air quality data is limited, with current average AQI and PM levels unavailable. The 6-month trend is stable. Urban areas like Santo Domingo face pollution from traffic and industry, but no major worsening reported. Government monitoring is nascent.

Water Quality

0510

Moderate

6.0/10

Water quality varies; about 85% of population has access to improved water sources, but contamination from agriculture and sewage affects rivers and coastal areas. Drinking water in urban zones often requires treatment. INAQUA monitors quality, reporting bacterial risks in some regions.

Urban tap water generally safe after boiling; rural access lower at 78%.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure is developing, with programs in major cities focusing on plastics and paper. Rate data unavailable, but informal collection common. Government pushes waste separation via municipal initiatives.

plasticpapermetal

Green Spaces

Forest coverage is 40.2% (2020), with 25% of land protected in 32 national parks like Jaragua and Del Este. These areas preserve biodiversity but face deforestation pressures from agriculture.

Forest Coverage: 40.2%

National Parks: 32

Protected areas cover ~6.5 million hectares, safeguarding coral reefs and mangroves.

Environmental Policies

Key policies include National Climate Change Strategy (2015) and Law 64-00 on Environment. Dominican Republic ratified Paris Agreement, committing to 27% emissions reduction by 2030.

Key Policies:

•Law 64-00 Environment
•National Climate Change Strategy

Renewable Energy: 25% renewable energy by 2025, focusing on solar and wind.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

High risk from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes. Recent events: Hurricane Fiona (2022) caused 4 deaths, $2.5B damage; Matthew (2016) killed 4. Early warning via ONAMET.

hurricanesfloodsearthquakes

Climate Change Impacts: Temperatures rose 0.8°C from 1991-2020 (CRU data). Hurricane frequency stable but intensity up 10-20% per IPCC AR6. Precipitation erratic, +15% annual rain but more extremes. Sea level rise 3.5mm/yr, threatening 10% coastal population. Extreme weather events doubled since 1980s.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

National Energy Plan targets 25% renewables by 2025 via solar (500MW installed) and wind projects. Achieved 10% in 2022.

Waste Management

Solid Waste Management Law promotes recycling centers; 20+ municipalities have separation programs.

Reforestation

Planting 10M trees by 2030 to combat deforestation; 1.5M planted 2020-2023.

Wildlife & Nature

Ricord's iguanaCritically Endangered

West Indian ManateeVulnerable

Hispaniolan ParrotEndangered

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