Djibouti: Djibouti environment Sector Profile

Due to its geographical situation, Djibouti is prone to many environmental constraints, including a chronic drought, which increases the likelihood of destructive fire hazards. This situation, coupled with abusive and uncontrolled deforestation and overgrazing, significantly contributes to the desertification phenomena. Indeed, the disappearance or the regression of the protective vegetal layer exacerbates the phenomena of hydrous and wind erosions.

Both traditional local habits and external tourist practices contribute to the acceleration of environmental pollution and deforestation. On the local level, problems stem from exclusive use of wood-based fuel (15.5% of energy) in the rural zones, firewood production (cooking of food), the production of charcoal for the urban zones, and the construction of traditional habitat. From the outside community, foreign habitats in tourist centres often cause additional environmental stresses. Moreover, the extremely high oil prices on the international market make sub-products such as kerosene inaccessible for the majority of the Djiboutian households.

International Environmental Agreements

Djibouti is party to international agreements on: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, and Wetlands.