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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic faces significant environmental challenges including widespread land degradation affecting 69.7% of territory, deforestation driven by agricultural expansion, and recurring sargassum influxes impacting coastal ecosystems. The country has committed to a 27% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 and maintains 15.3% terrestrial and marine protected areas, demonstrating moderate environmental protection efforts amid climate vulnerability.

Air Quality Index

Moderate

6.5/10

Stable trend

Air quality data for Dominican Republic is limited in public databases. The country faces air quality challenges from industrial pollution and urban emissions, particularly in Santo Domingo and Santiago. Systematic monitoring infrastructure is being developed to better track air quality trends across the nation.

Water Quality

Moderate

6.0/10

Water quality in Dominican Republic is affected by pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and inadequate wastewater treatment in some regions. Coastal areas face additional stress from marine debris and sargassum accumulation. The country is implementing monitoring systems to assess water quality impacts on public health and marine ecosystems.

Access to clean drinking water varies by region, with urban areas generally having better treatment infrastructure than rural areas. Water management challenges include soil erosion and land degradation affecting water resources.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure in Dominican Republic is underdeveloped with limited systematic data on recycling rates and programs. The country is beginning to address plastic waste and marine debris accumulation through experimental statistical measurement programs. Formal recycling systems are not widely established across the nation.

Green Spaces

Dominican Republic maintains 15.3% of its total territorial area as terrestrial and marine protected areas as of 2024. These protected areas include national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries designated to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. However, land degradation affects 69.7% of the territory, with widespread soil erosion and deforestation primarily driven by agricultural expansion.

Forest Coverage: 40.0%

Terrestrial and marine protected areas comprise 15.3% of total territorial area, including scientific reserves, national parks, natural monuments, and nature reserves managed for conservation and sustainable use.

Environmental Policies

Dominican Republic submitted its revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in December 2020, committing to a 27% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 (20% conditional and 7% unconditional) compared to business as usual. The NDC includes comprehensive adaptation and resilience strategies across coastal zones, disaster risk management, ecosystems, biodiversity, forestry, tourism, and water resources. The country is transitioning toward circular economy models and integrating blue economy solutions into national climate plans.

Key Policies:

•27% GHG reduction commitment by 2030 (NDC)
•Coastal zone adaptation and resilience
•Disaster risk management framework
•Ecosystem and biodiversity protection
•Circular economy transition initiatives
•Blue economy integration for climate action

Renewable Energy: Dominican Republic is developing renewable energy targets as part of its NDC implementation, with focus on transitioning to sustainable energy systems to support GHG reduction goals.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Dominican Republic faces high natural disaster risk due to its Caribbean location, experiencing frequent hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, and earthquake activity. The country is vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal erosion. Disaster risk management is a priority adaptation area in the national climate strategy, with focus on strengthening early warning systems and emergency preparedness.

Hurricanes and tropical stormsFlooding and flash floodsEarthquakesCoastal erosion and sea level riseLandslides

Climate Change Impacts: Climate change is intensifying natural disaster frequency and severity in Dominican Republic. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities and tourism infrastructure. Increased precipitation variability is affecting water availability and agricultural productivity. The country's coastal zones face accelerating erosion and storm surge impacts. Temperature increases are affecting marine ecosystems and contributing to sargassum bloom events that have become a recurring phenomenon in the Caribbean, with direct effects on tourism, fishing, and biodiversity. Land degradation affecting 69.7% of territory is exacerbated by climate-driven changes in precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency.

Sustainability Initiatives

Climate Mitigation and GHG Reduction

Dominican Republic committed to 27% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 through its revised NDC, with 20% conditional and 7% unconditional targets compared to business as usual. This represents increased ambition from the initial 25% reduction target and includes extensive mitigation co-benefits and linkages to Sustainable Development Goals.

Coastal Zone and Marine Management

Dominican Republic is implementing coastal zone adaptation and resilience strategies as part of its NDC. The country is developing statistical measurement systems for sargassum influxes and marine debris to quantify environmental and economic impacts on beaches. Satellite monitoring technologies and drones are being deployed to improve data accuracy for coastal environmental management.

Circular Economy Transition

Dominican Republic is transitioning toward a circular economy model as part of its sustainability strategy. Switching to a circular model could bring significant economic benefits, cut emissions, create stable jobs, and open new green markets. This initiative supports the country's broader climate and sustainability objectives.

Blue Economy and Nature-Based Solutions

Dominican Republic is integrating blue economy and nature-based solutions into national climate plans. This approach leverages marine and coastal resources for climate action while supporting sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean region.

Protected Areas Expansion

Dominican Republic maintains 15.3% of its territorial area as terrestrial and marine protected areas as of 2024. These protected areas include national parks, nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and protected landscapes designated to preserve biodiversity and support ecosystem resilience.

Wildlife & Nature

Hispaniolan SolenodonEndangered

Ridley Sea TurtleVulnerable

Caribbean ManateeVulnerable

Hispaniolan ParrotEndangered

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