Key facts
- Indonesia's wildfire emissions have surged to the highest globally.
- The emissions from these fires now exceed those from fossil fuels.
- Peatland fires are the main cause of the increased emissions.
- Dry conditions and land-clearing practices are contributing factors.
Indonesia's wildfire emissions have surged to the highest globally, surpassing those generated by fossil fuels in 2023. The country's wildfires emitted an estimated 1.48 gigatons of carbon, compared to 1.36 gigatons from fossil fuels. This significant increase is largely attributed to peatland fires, which are exacerbated by dry conditions and land-clearing practices. Between 2015 and 2023, Indonesian wildfires released a total of 2.2 gigatons of carbon. The surge in emissions poses a considerable threat to global climate targets and air quality.
Discussion