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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Eritrea

Eritrea faces significant environmental challenges due to its arid climate, recurrent droughts, and floods, impacting agriculture and water resources. Government initiatives focus on afforestation, soil conservation, terracing, and protected areas to enhance resilience and sustainability, with commitments under the Paris Agreement for emission reductions.

Air Quality Index

Good

7.0/10

Stable trend

Limited data available on air quality in Eritrea, with current AQI and PM levels N/A. Trend is stable per database. No major industrial pollution noted; rural areas likely cleaner than sparse urban centers like Asmara. Government focuses on broader environmental protection rather than specific air monitoring.

Water Quality

Moderate

5.0/10

Eritrea's water resources are strained by droughts and climate impacts, degrading quality and depleting groundwater in five major basins. Access to clean water is limited, affecting sanitation and health. Government employs terracing and diversion for conservation.

Recurring droughts threaten drinking water safety; nutrition screening shows malnutrition rises linked to water scarcity.

Recycling System

No specific recycling rate or types available in database (N/A%). Efforts against plastic pollution noted in national initiatives, but formal infrastructure limited. Focus on waste reduction through conservation rather than recycling programs.

Green Spaces

Eritrea has established protected areas including Semienawi and Debubawi Keih Bahri, Buri-Irori-Hawakil, Berasole estuary, and Gash-Setit Elephant Sanctuary. Over 45 million tree seedlings planted since 2006 with high survival rate to combat degradation.

Forest Coverage: 12.4%

National Parks: 4

Enclosures and priority zones mapped for biodiversity; recent oil spill threats to coastal reserves like Buri-Irrori Hawakil.

Environmental Policies

National Charter commits to environmental protection. Initiatives include terracing, water diversion, afforestation. Signed Paris Agreement, targeting 12.6% GHG reduction by 2030 (38.5% with support). GHG emissions rose 20% from 2000 to 2018 but remain low globally.

Key Policies:

•National Charter Environmental Protection
•Paris Agreement Commitments
•Protected Areas Directives

Renewable Energy: Limited data; focus on climate resilience over specific renewable targets.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Eritrea experiences frequent droughts and floods. 2008 floods affected 1.7M; five droughts 2008-2021 impacted 3.3M. 2015-2016 El Nino drought hit Anseba farmers.

droughtsfloods

Climate Change Impacts: Arid Sahelian climate worsens with droughts reducing agriculture yields, water base flows, increasing malnutrition (2021 rise vs 2020). No specific temperature data available; precipitation erratic, floods destructive despite low annual runoff. Coastal oil spills (2025) add risks. Paris pledges aim to mitigate.

Sustainability Initiatives

Afforestation and Soil Conservation

Planted 45M+ tree seedlings since 2006; constructed terraces and water diversions nationwide to reduce erosion, restore lands, and conserve water.

Protected Areas and Biodiversity

Established enclosures and mapped priority zones like Gash-Setit Elephant Sanctuary; community involvement to enhance conservation.

Wildlife & Nature

African ElephantEndangered

Marine Species in Red Sea ReservesVulnerable

Bird Species in Coastal EstuariesNear Threatened

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