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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Myanmar

Myanmar faces significant environmental challenges including rapid deforestation, increased extreme weather events due to climate change, and vulnerability to floods and cyclones. Forest cover has declined 19.3% since 2000, with acceleration post-2021 from illegal logging. The country is highly vulnerable to climate hazards despite low emissions (187 MtCO2e, 0.33% global), with recent heatwaves reaching 48.2°C in 2024 and frequent flooding. Political instability exacerbates degradation, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods.

Air Quality Index

Moderate

5.5/10

Stable trend

Air quality data is limited (N/A current AQI, stable 6-month trend). Mining activities contribute to pollution, but no specific PM metrics available. Urban areas likely face higher pollution from industry and biomass burning amid deforestation.

Water Quality

Poor

4.0/10

Water quality is poor due to mining contamination with heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead in rivers such as N’Mai Kha. Post-earthquake damage has disrupted sanitation and safe water access, increasing health risks. Rural dependence on surface water heightens vulnerability.

Communities in mining areas cannot use waterways for drinking due to toxic runoff; spring and surface water used post-disasters.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure is underdeveloped (N/A rate, no types listed in database). Waste management challenged by political crisis and environmental degradation; no major programs highlighted in recent reports.

Green Spaces

Forest cover has declined 19.3% since 2000, accelerating post-2021 due to illegal logging and agricultural expansion. Mining caused 32,720 ha loss in key areas 2018-2024. Mangrove loss worsens coastal vulnerability.

Forest Coverage: 40.7%

Deforestation from mining and logging reduces natural buffers against hazards.

Environmental Policies

Weak enforcement amid crisis; net zero target by 2050 with complete detailed plan and annual reporting. Low emissions but high vulnerability. Policies hampered by instability.

Key Policies:

•Net Zero by 2050
•Paris Agreement commitments

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Myanmar highly vulnerable to floods, cyclones, earthquakes, heatwaves. Recent: March 2025 earthquakes affected 200,000+; frequent flooding post-2019 in mining areas.

floodscyclonesearthquakesheatwaves

Climate Change Impacts: Temperature extremes reached 48.2°C (April 2024); climate change increased frequency/intensity of extreme precipitation, cyclones, heatwaves (past decades). INFORM score 6.2 indicates high vulnerability, low adaptation. Deforestation worsens floods/landslides; erratic monsoons raise risks. Over last 10-20 years, heatwaves more severe, flooding common hazard.

Sustainability Initiatives

Climate Targets

Net zero emissions by 2050 target with complete detailed plan, annual reporting, externally verified. Focus on reducing land-use CO2 (50% of emissions) and methane from agriculture.

Environmental Monitoring

Emissions declined 3% annually last decade via land-use CO2 and methane reductions. Priorities: cut fossil CO2 from oil/coal.

Wildlife & Nature

Irrawaddy DolphinCritically Endangered

Eld's DeerEndangered

Asian ElephantEndangered

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