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Biomass burning emissions in 2026 hit lowest level on record
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Environment & Climate

Biomass burning emissions in 2026 hit lowest level on record

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Global biomass burning emissions in the first half of 2026 reached their lowest point on record, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS).
  • This decrease was largely due to reduced seasonal fires in tropical Africa.
  • However, CAMS warned that recent large-scale wildfires in North America and Eurasia could increase overall emissions later in the summer.

Global emissions from biomass burning hit a record low in the first half of 2026, marking the lowest levels since records began, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reported.

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service's Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS) attributed the significant reduction between January and June primarily to fewer seasonal fires in tropical Africa. "The record low in total biomass burning emissions in the first half of 2026 continues the general downward trend related to changes in savanna fires in tropical Africa and Asia," stated CAMS scientist Mark Parrington.

However, Parrington cautioned that the positive outlook could be jeopardized by a recent surge in wildfires across Eurasia and North America. "The emergence of numerous large-scale wildfires in Eurasia and North America in the last two weeks of June could increase total global emissions over the rest of the summer," he noted.

The record low in total biomass burning emissions in the first half of 2026 continues the general downward trend related to changes in savanna fires in tropical Africa and Asia.

— Mark ParringtonA CAMS scientist commenting on the record low emissions.

Looking ahead, CAMS highlighted the potential impact of El Niño conditions, which historically correlate with increased global fire emissions. Previous El Niño events in 2015 and 2019 saw persistent biomass burning in Indonesia lead to widespread regional haze and severe air quality degradation. "Although the first half of the year presents a positive picture, it remains essential to maintain vigilance, as wildfire smoke can still have a significant impact on air quality and conditions can change rapidly," Parrington emphasized.

In total, estimated carbon emissions from biomass burning during the first half of the year were just under 400 megatons of carbon. Africa and Asia were the largest contributors, with 154 and 113 megatons of carbon respectively, regions where fire is commonly used for land clearing and agricultural practices during the dry season.

Although the first half of the year presents a positive picture, it remains essential to maintain vigilance, as wildfire smoke can still have a significant impact on air quality and conditions can change rapidly.

— Mark ParringtonThe scientist cautioned about the potential for future increases in emissions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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