Emissions mitigation opportunities for savanna countries from early dry season fire management

Abstract

Savanna fires produce significant emissions globally, but if managed effectively could provide an important mitigation opportunity, particularly in African least developed countries. Here we show global opportunities for emissions reductions through early dry season burning for 37 countries including: 29 countries in Africa (69.1 MtCO₂-e yr⁻¹), six countries in South America (13.3 MtCO₂-e yr⁻¹), and Australia and Papua New Guinea (6.9 MtCO₂-e yr⁻¹). Emissions reduction estimates are based on the successful approach developed in Australia to reduce emissions from savanna fires using global-scale, remotely sensed estimates of monthly emissions. Importantly, 20 least developed countries in Africa account for 74% of the mitigation potential (60.2 MtCO₂-e yr⁻¹). More than 1.02 million km² of savanna dominated protected areas within these countries could be used as pilot sites to test and advance a regional approach to mitigation efforts for savanna fires in Africa. Potential versus actual abatement opportunities are discussed.