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Environment & Sustainability Guide · Myanmar

Environment & Sustainability Guide in Myanmar

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies

Myanmar (pop. 54.4M) experiences rapid deforestation at 2% annually, losing intact forests to <27%. Temperatures rose from 23.53°C (1901) to 24.11°C (2021), with 0.82°C increase over 50 years. Vulnerable to cyclones/floods (41 events 1995-2014, 7,146 deaths). Water pollution from agriculture/mining affects 70% rural population. Stable AQI trend but data N/A. Ratified Paris Agreement; MCCS 2018-2030 targets resilience.

Air Quality Index

0510

Moderate

5.0/10(AQI: N/A)

Stable trend

Limited monitoring shows urban air pollution from biomass/traffic; stable 6-month trend per database. No national AQI average; rural better than cities like Yangon.

Water Quality

0510

Poor

4.0/10

Water pollution from agriculture, mining, untreated wastewater; rural areas (70% pop) most affected. Major rivers (Ayeyarwady etc.) contaminated.

Limited safe access in rural areas due to pollution.

Recycling System

Minimal formal recycling; informal sector handles some plastics/metals. No national rate data; waste mismanagement common.

Recycling Rate: —%

Green Spaces

High forest cover in SE Asia but 2% annual deforestation; <27% intact forest. Mangrove loss 3.6-3.9%/yr.

Forest Coverage: 44.0%

National Parks: 13

Deforestation drivers: timber, plantations, mining.

Environmental Policies

Myanmar Climate Change Policy & Strategy (2018-2030) for resilience/low-carbon dev. Paris Agreement participant.

Key Policies:

•MCCP 2018
•MCCS 2018-2030

Renewable Energy: Low-carbon development focus.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Highly vulnerable; 41 extreme events 1995-2014 (7,146 deaths avg). Cyclones, floods, droughts.

cyclonesfloodsdroughtsearthquakes

Climate Change Impacts: Temp rise 0.58°C (1901-2021, 23.53-24.11°C); 0.82°C/50yrs, proj +2.07°C by 2060. Increased precipitation variability, intensified extremes. Ranked 2nd Global Climate Risk Index 2000-2019.

Sustainability Initiatives

Climate Resilience

Myanmar Climate Change Strategy 2018-2030 integrates adaptation/mitigation across sectors.

Green Growth

Complements MCCS with REDD+ strategy preparation for forest emissions reduction.

Wildlife & Nature

Eld's DeerEndangered

Asian ElephantEndangered

Irrawaddy DolphinEndangered

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