Environment & Sustainability Guide
Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in North Korea
Air Quality Index
Air quality data is limited (current AQI N/A, stable trend). Heavy reliance on low-quality coal for energy causes high pollution, with North Korea's pollution-related mortality highest globally and contributing 20% to South Korea's air pollution.
Water Quality
Access to clean water is limited, affecting millions. Floods damage water infrastructure, increasing vulnerability to waterborne diseases. Deforestation-induced erosion contributes to marine pollution impacting aquatic ecosystems.
Recycling System
No specific recycling rate or types available in database (N/A%). Limited data on infrastructure amid resource constraints and deforestation for biofuel.
Green Spaces
Forest coverage increased to 45% by 2019 from reforestation efforts under Kim Jong Un, who banned cultivation on slopes >15 degrees. In 2020, 6.1 Mha natural forest (50% land area); 16 kha lost in 2024.
Environmental Policies
Policies emphasize reforestation and emission reductions: committed to 15.63% GHG cut by 2030 (up to 50.34% with support). North Korean report acknowledges extreme weather degrading soil.
- •Reforestation campaign
- •Emission reduction NDC
- •Slope cultivation ban
Natural Disaster Risk
HIGHCommon disasters include floods and droughts. Recent: Northeastern floods affected 600,000, displaced 107,000, 133 deaths (recent event). Agriculture declined 3.8% in 2022 due to weather.
Sustainability Initiatives
Kim Jong Un's 'war to improve nature': banned slope >15° cultivation; forest coverage up 0.2% 2015-2019 to 45%. Addresses deforestation from food/biofuel needs.
NDC: 15.63% GHG reduction by 2030 (50.34% with support). Emissions peaked 1990s, down ~70%; 56 Mt CO2 in 2021 mostly coal.
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