Sudan flagEnvironment & Sustainability Guide · Sudan

Environment & Sustainability Guide in Sudan

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies

Sudan, with a population of 43.8 million, grapples with severe environmental issues driven by climate change and conflict. Frequent droughts and floods have displaced communities, while water scarcity affects over 50% of the population. Forest cover has declined due to deforestation, and data gaps in air quality, recycling, and renewables highlight monitoring challenges. Government efforts focus on protected areas and international climate commitments, but implementation remains limited.

Air Quality Index

0510
Moderate
5.0/10(AQI: N/A)
Stable trend

Air quality data for Sudan is unavailable in current databases, with stable trends over 6 months. Limited monitoring exists, primarily in urban areas like Khartoum where dust storms from desertification contribute to PM levels. No major government air quality initiatives reported recently due to conflict.

Water Quality

0510
Poor
3.5/10

Water quality in Sudan is poor, with only 44% of population accessing safely managed drinking water. Pollution from agriculture, industry, and conflict disrupts the Nile, leading to contamination. Treatment standards are inadequate in rural areas.

Over 15 million lack basic water services; cholera outbreaks linked to poor quality.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure in Sudan is virtually non-existent, with no national rate data available and no formalized types reported. Waste management is informal, focused on urban collection amid conflict disruptions.

Recycling Rate: %

Green Spaces

Sudan has 10 national parks and reserves covering about 10% forest cover, threatened by deforestation at 2% annual rate. Protected areas like Dinder National Park support biodiversity but face poaching and encroachment.

Forest Coverage: 10.0%
National Parks: 10
Key sites include Radom National Park and Boma, part of transboundary conservation.

Environmental Policies

Sudan ratified the Paris Agreement in 2017 and has environmental laws from 2002, but enforcement is weak due to conflict. Policies target deforestation and water management.

Key Policies:
  • Environmental Framework Act 2002
  • National Adaptation Plan
Renewable Energy: Aims for 25% renewables by 2030, mainly hydropower.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Sudan experiences high risk from floods, droughts, and flash floods, exacerbated by conflict limiting response.

floodsdroughtsdesertification
Climate Change Impacts: Temperatures rose 1.5°C since 1960-1990 baseline, with droughts increasing 30% in frequency over 20 years. Precipitation declined 15% in central regions, leading to crop failures. 2022-2023 floods affected 1 million, killing hundreds; 2024 drought impacted 25 million. No significant sea level rise as landlocked.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Sudan leverages hydropower from Roseires Dam, contributing most renewables; targets 25% by 2030 via solar projects despite N/A current percentage.

Waste Management

Informal waste collection in Khartoum; UNEP supports community recycling pilots, but no national system.

Water Conservation

Watershed protection along Nile; community programs for clean water access amid scarcity.

Wildlife & Nature

Sudan CheetahCritically Endangered
West African GiraffeCritically Endangered
African Wild DogEndangered