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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Madagascar

Madagascar faces significant environmental challenges including rapid deforestation, poor water quality from waste and runoff, and vulnerability to climate-driven cyclones and droughts. With 26% forest cover in 2020 now declining, biodiversity hotspots are threatened. Government efforts through SEMARN and protected areas aim for sustainability, but data gaps and weak management persist amid climate change impacts.

Air Quality Index

Good

7.0/10

Stable trend

Air quality data is limited, with no current AQI available; 6-month trend stable. Consensus indicates air pollution issues exist but lack systematic data prevents detailed assessment. Urban areas likely face higher pollution from waste burning and transport.

Water Quality

Poor

4.5/10

Poor surface, groundwater, and coastal water quality due to lack of wastewater management, agricultural runoff, causing health issues especially for the poor. Water scarcity in drier regions from poor demand management; weak watershed management increases erosion and flooding.

Drinking water often unsafe without treatment; pollution from solid waste and runoff prevalent.

Recycling System

Limited recycling infrastructure; overall lack of solid waste management pollutes water sources and causes disease. No specific recycling rate data available; types not detailed in sources.

Green Spaces

Natural forest covered 26% of land in 2020 (15.6M ha), lost 299,000 ha by 2023; WWF predicts loss of all intact forest landscapes in two decades. Extensive protected areas exist but face deforestation pressures including from tourism.

Forest Coverage: 26.0%

Protected areas key for biodiversity but tourism linked to nearby deforestation; SEMARN oversees management.

Environmental Policies

SEMARN established 2000 centralizes environmental institutions, issuing regulations, standards, impact assessments. World Bank supported reforms. SIGE system tracks emissions, waste, natural resources. CSR efforts by banks include carbon assessments.

Key Policies:

•SEMARN environmental regulations
•SIGE Environmental Management Information System
•TGRNR Renewable Natural Resources Management

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

High risk from cyclones, floods, droughts; weak watershed management amplifies flooding and erosion.

cyclonesfloodsdroughts

Climate Change Impacts: Deforestation and poor land management exacerbate disaster frequency/severity; 299k ha forest loss 2020-2023 worsens vulnerability. No specific temperature rise data available; global trends indicate warming increases cyclone intensity for island nations like Madagascar. Water scarcity rising in drier regions.

Sustainability Initiatives

Environmental Management

SEMARN coordinates environmental policies, regulations, and impact assessments with World Bank support for sustainable landscape management and Blue Economy.

Biodiversity Monitoring

SIGE system tracks GHG emissions, waste, pollution; corporate CSR includes carbon footprint assessments and reforestation by banks like BNI Madagascar.

Local Conservation

Emphasis on local leadership in conservation amid political changes, addressing historical colonial narratives for inclusive practices.

Wildlife & Nature

Madagascar PochardCritically Endangered

IndriCritically Endangered

Ring-tailed LemurEndangered

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