Brian Barton
Panama is a highly developed country in Central America with one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America. However, its progress has come at an environmental cost. Panama faces issues such as water pollution, deforestation, and air pollution. While the country has a small population and contributes only 0.045% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is still highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water Pollution | Water in Panama is polluted due to raw sewage and industrial waste. Only 60% of Panama City's residents are served by the current sewage system. |
| Air Pollution | PM2.5 concentration is 2 times the World Health Organization's annual PM2.5 guideline value. Panama City's air pollution has been linked to an increase in cardiovascular, respiratory, and diabetes mortality. |
| Deforestation | Panama has lost a significant amount of its forests to deforestation. More than half of its mangrove forests are lost. About 123,500 acres of forests are cut down every year. |
| Desertification | Fertile land in Panama is becoming desert, due to drought, deforestation, and inappropriate agriculture. |
| Climate Change Action | Panama joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition in 2018 and is developing a National Climate Change Strategy. It has submitted a National Communication to the UNFCCC and is working on a second one. |
| Energy Sector | Panama's National Energy Plan aims for 15% of energy generation capacity to come from renewables by 2030 and 50% by 2050. |
| Waste Management | Panama's Integrated Waste Management and Zero Waste Policy promote a closed-cycle waste system, shared responsibility among waste producers, waste hierarchy, and minimizing waste generation. |
| Economy | Panama has a fast-growing economy, with a large service sector including the Panama Canal, banking, tourism, and healthcare. |
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What You'll Learn
Panama's water pollution
Panama, a country in Central America, is bordered by two oceans: the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. It also has countless rivers and streams winding across its land. Panama's progress has historically been at the cost of the environment, but there is a small sustainable movement gaining traction.
Panama has clean drinking water across most of the country. However, this is largely limited to the metropolitan areas of Panama City and Colón, which benefit from the Panama Canal watershed. Outside of these areas, in places like Bocas del Toro and more remote regions, the water quality is questionable.
The country's water sources are under threat from urbanization, pollution, and slash-and-burn agriculture. Additionally, Panama's mangrove forests, a crucial component of marine ecosystems, have been decimated by development. Over the last few decades, the country has lost more than half of its mangrove forests.
Panama Bay, outside Panama City, is a prime example of the country's water pollution issues. Swimming in the bay, which was possible half a century ago, is now unsafe due to the presence of raw sewage and industrial waste. The Panamanian government has been working to address this issue. In 2006, a plan to treat sewage and clean the bay was approved, with a completion date set for June 2013. The project, supported by the USTDA, aimed to provide cleaner water for Panamanians and improve the ecology of the bay. As a result of these efforts, over 350 kilometers of sewer systems have been constructed, and the first module of the Juan Díaz Wastewater Treatment Plant is now operational.
Agricultural runoff is another significant contributor to water pollution in Panama. The frequent use of toxic pesticides, such as organophosphates, poses a direct threat to human wellbeing, especially in rural areas. While there are indications of a shift in the Panamanian government's attitude towards protecting rural water resources, the country still lags behind the United States in terms of mitigating the effects of chemical water pollution.
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Air pollution in Panama City
Panama, located in Central America, is bordered by two oceans—the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean—and has numerous rivers and streams. The country has made progress, but largely at the cost of the environment. Panama has faced serious environmental issues, with money taking precedence over conservation for much of its history.
Panama City, the capital, has experienced air quality issues. While the air quality is generally acceptable for most people, sensitive groups may experience symptoms from long-term exposure. The air has reached levels of high pollution and can be unhealthy for vulnerable individuals. Reducing time spent outdoors is recommended when symptoms such as difficulty breathing or throat irritation occur.
The air quality data for Panama City is subject to change and may not always be completely accurate. The data is derived from recorded concentrations of major pollutants, with raw measurements converted into values for the Air Quality Index (AQI) by Plume Labs. This conversion is based on standards and guidelines developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the World Air Map, Panama City's air quality is rated as "fair," with a 24.0 AQI. The main pollutants are PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3. The levels of these pollutants exceed the maximum limit established for one year by the WHO, and long-term exposure constitutes a health risk.
Panama has implemented initiatives to address environmental concerns and climate change. The country joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) in 2018, committing to mitigate short-lived climate pollutants. Despite contributing only 0.045% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Panama is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. To combat this, Panama has set ambitious mitigation goals through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the United Nations.
Additionally, Panama has introduced policies such as the National Energy Plan (PEN) 2015-2050, aiming for 15% of its generation capacity to come from renewables by 2030 and 50% by 2050. The country is also developing a National Climate Change Strategy, which includes establishing a program for the periodic update of national communications and fostering scientific research on climate change.
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Panama's deforestation
Panama has faced serious environmental issues throughout its history, with money and development taking precedence over conservation. Panama's forests have been routinely chopped down to make room for cattle ranching, large-scale agricultural plantations, and infrastructure development. This has resulted in massive deforestation, ecosystem destruction, and river pollution.
The country has one of the most developed economies in Central America, with a significant portion of its GDP dependent on the service sector, including the Panama Canal, banking, tourism, and healthcare. This development has come at the cost of the environment, and Panama is now facing the impacts of climate change. Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like storms, floods, and droughts, which threaten the health and safety of people and ecosystems and negatively affect the livelihoods of the poorest and most marginalized communities.
Panama has a high forest coverage, with about 65.4% of the country covered in forests, and is one of the only three countries that are carbon negative. However, deforestation, particularly in the Darien Bioregion of Eastern Panama, is occurring at an alarming rate. In this region, an area of about 2.95 million hectares, more than 40% of the rainforest has disappeared in the last 30 years, with 90% of this forest loss attributed to illegal logging and trafficking. This deforestation has been wrongly blamed on indigenous peoples, who are more likely to be victimized by illegal traffickers rather than profit from their operations.
Forests of the World and other organizations have been working with indigenous communities in Panama since 1996 to monitor, protect, and conserve forests, defend indigenous territories, and uphold their rights. These communities are crucial in the fight against deforestation, as about 72% of forested areas in Panama are located within indigenous territories. The Geoversity Foundation in Panama also works to create conservation-focused communities and train biocultural leaders committed to reconnecting humanity with nature.
Panama has taken steps to address its environmental issues and combat climate change. The country joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) in 2018 and has implemented policies such as the Integrated Waste Management and Zero Waste Policy, the National Energy Plan, the Panama Cooling Plan, and the National plan on climate change for agriculture. Additionally, Panama has submitted a National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), outlining its actions and commitments to address climate change.
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Climate change mitigation efforts
Panama, a country in Central America, has faced serious environmental issues throughout its history. For much of the country's past, economic development took precedence over conservation, resulting in deforestation and pollution. However, Panama has recently demonstrated a commitment to addressing climate change and mitigating its impacts.
Panama joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) in 2018, signalling its dedication to reducing short-lived climate pollutants and improving air quality, health, and socio-economic conditions. Despite contributing only 0.045% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Panama has set ambitious goals to combat climate change through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the United Nations.
Panama has implemented several measures to reduce its environmental impact and adapt to a changing climate. The National Plan on Climate Change for Agriculture (PNCCSA), launched in 2018, aims to enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adjusting production practices. Additionally, Panama has introduced the Panama Cooling Plan (PCP) to sustainably develop the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, incorporating energy efficiency and environmentally friendly refrigerants.
The country has also set targets for renewable energy sources, aiming for 15% of its generation capacity to come from renewables by 2030 and increasing to 50% by 2050. To achieve this, Panama plans to introduce natural gas (LNG) for power generation and other energy uses, significantly reducing emissions in the energy sector. Furthermore, Panama is developing a circular economy plan for waste management, aiming to reduce waste generation and emissions while ensuring public health and safety.
In addition to these efforts, Panama is working on a National Climate Change Strategy, which includes establishing a program for the periodic update of national communications, a national climate change mitigation strategy, and an adaptation strategy. The country has also launched a $3 million National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project to strengthen governance and institutional coordination, enhance climate risk knowledge, and accelerate adaptation action.
While Panama has made notable progress in addressing climate change, it continues to face challenges, including the impacts of extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and the vulnerability of its lengthy coastline.
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Panama's waste management policies
Panama, a country in Central America, has one of the most developed economies in the region. However, its progress has largely been at the cost of the environment, and the country has faced serious environmental issues. Panama has submitted a National Communication to the UNFCCC, outlining its policies and commitments to combat climate change. It is also developing a National Climate Change Strategy, which includes establishing a program for updating its national communications and implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
One of the main challenges in Panama's waste management is the casual attitude towards waste among the urban population, with littering being a common practice. This, coupled with issues such as corruption and scavenging, has exacerbated the waste problem. The government has taken steps to address littering, particularly plastic waste, by endorsing zero-waste policies, banning plastic bags, and participating in initiatives like the UN Environment's CleanSeas campaign, which aims to reduce marine plastic pollution.
Panama's zero-waste policy, based on a closed-cycle waste system, promotes shared responsibility among waste producers, waste hierarchy, waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery through environmentally friendly waste treatment. The National Integrated Waste Management and Zero Waste Policy (2018) aim to reduce waste generation and emissions while protecting public health. Additionally, the National Energy Plan (2015-2050) targets an increase in renewable energy sources, with a goal of 50% renewable energy by 2050.
The country has also implemented sector-specific plans, such as the Panama Cooling Plan (2020), which focuses on sustainable development and environmental protection in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector. Despite these efforts, Panama continues to face challenges in waste management, including the complexity and cost of recycling, improper landfill management, and a lack of garbage collection infrastructure in public spaces.
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Frequently asked questions
Panama is facing a few major environmental issues, including water and air pollution, deforestation, and desertification. In 2024, it was ranked 97th out of 138 countries for air pollution.
Water pollution in Panama is caused by raw sewage and industrial waste being dumped into the water. This has turned the water in Panama Bay and other sources toxic.
Panama has joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and is developing a National Climate Change Strategy. The country has also implemented the Integrated Waste Management and Zero Waste Policy, which promotes a closed-cycle waste system and waste reduction.
