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Environment & Sustainability Guide · Senegal

Environment & Sustainability Guide in Senegal

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies

Senegal faces significant environmental challenges including coastal erosion from sea level rise, recurrent droughts, and flooding, exacerbated by climate change. With a population of 16.7 million, the country is advancing renewable energy through solar projects and international commitments under the Paris Agreement. Forest cover has declined historically, but protected areas like Niokolo-Koba National Park support biodiversity. Air quality remains stable amid urbanization, while water access improves but pollution persists in urban areas.

Air Quality Index

0510

Moderate

6.5/10(AQI: N/A)

Stable trend

Air quality in Senegal is stable per 6-month trends, with urban areas like Dakar facing moderate pollution from traffic, biomass burning, and dust. Rural areas generally have better quality. Government initiatives focus on monitoring but lack comprehensive data.

Water Quality

0510

Moderate

6.0/10

About 73% of Senegalese have access to safely managed drinking water, but urban pollution from industry and agriculture affects rivers like the Senegal River. Treatment standards exist but enforcement varies; rural areas rely on unprotected sources.

73% safely managed drinking water access (2022 data); contamination risks from nitrates and bacteria in surface water.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure is limited, with formal rates under 10%; informal waste picking handles much of plastic and metal recovery in Dakar. No national recycling rate data available; efforts focus on waste-to-energy and landfills.

Recycling Rate: —%

Green Spaces

Senegal has 43.4% forest cover (2020), down from higher historical levels due to deforestation. 22 national parks and reserves cover 3.4 million hectares, including Niokolo-Koba (UNESCO site) protecting savannas and wildlife.

Forest Coverage: 43.4%

National Parks: 22

Protected areas represent 15% of land; key sites include Djoudj National Bird Park (wetlands) and Saloum Delta.

Environmental Policies

Senegal ratified the Paris Agreement and aims for 40% GHG reduction by 2030. Key policies include the National Adaptation Plan, renewable energy targets (30% by 2030), and protected area expansion. Plastic bag ban implemented in 2015.

Key Policies:

•Paris Agreement NDC
•National Adaptation Programme
•Renewable Energy Master Plan

Renewable Energy: 30% renewable energy in electricity mix by 2030, focusing on solar (target 1 GW by 2025).

Natural Disaster Risk

MODERATE

Senegal faces floods, droughts, coastal erosion, and locust invasions. 2024 floods affected 20,000+ people; droughts recur every 2-3 years.

floodsdroughtscoastal erosion

Climate Change Impacts: Temperatures rose 0.9°C per decade (1991-2020), with heatwaves increasing; extreme precipitation up 20% since 1980, boosting floods. Sea levels rose 3-4 mm/year, eroding 0.5m/year of coastline. Drought frequency doubled since 1970s, impacting Sahel agriculture.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Scaling Solar Program added 260 MW solar capacity by 2023; target 1 GW by 2025 with World Bank support, reducing fossil fuel reliance.

Reforestation

Great Green Wall initiative planted 7 million trees since 2010, aiming to restore 1.5M ha by 2030 to combat desertification.

Waste Management

Dakar Waste-to-Energy plant operational since 2023, processing 200,000 tons/year; national strategy targets 50% waste recovery by 2030.

Wildlife & Nature

West African LionCritically Endangered

African ManateeVulnerable

ChimpanzeeEndangered

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