Africa’s Forests Now Emit More Carbon Than They Absorb

New research highlights a troubling shift in Africa’s forests, revealing they now emit more carbon than they absorb. This alarming trend, detailed in a study published in Scientific Reports, indicates that these forests, once critical allies in combating climate change, are now exacerbating the problem. Conducted by a team from the Universities of Leicester, Sheffield, and Edinburgh, the study points to significant forest loss since 2010, raising urgent concerns about the need for enhanced forest protection.

Forest Emissions on the Rise

The research utilized advanced satellite technology and artificial intelligence to monitor carbon storage across Africa over more than a decade. Findings show that while carbon storage in African forests was increasing from 2007 to 2010, this trend dramatically reversed after that period. Between 2010 and 2017, Africa lost approximately 106 billion kilograms of forest biomass annually, equivalent to the weight of 106 million cars. The most substantial losses occurred in tropical rainforests in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and parts of West Africa, primarily due to deforestation and forest degradation.

While some carbon gains were recorded in savanna areas, these were significantly outweighed by the losses experienced in tropical forests. The implications of this research are profound, as Professor Heiko Balzter, Director of the Institute for Environmental Futures at the University of Leicester, emphasized that if Africa’s forests cease to act as carbon sinks, other regions will face the pressing need to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the 2°C temperature goal established in the Paris Agreement.

Global Impact and Calls for Action

The timing of these findings coincides with discussions at the recent COP30 Climate Summit, where the new Tropical Forests Forever Facility was introduced. This initiative aims to allocate billions of pounds to support countries committed to maintaining their tropical forests. Without immediate action to halt forest loss, one of the planet’s most crucial natural carbon sinks risks disappearing.

Experts involved in the study have called for stronger measures to protect these vital ecosystems. Dr. Nezha Acil, a co-author from the National Center for Earth Observation, asserted that improved forest governance, rigorous enforcement against illegal logging, and large-scale restoration programs like AFR100, which seeks to restore 100 million hectares of African landscapes by 2030, are essential for reversing the damage.

Dr. Pedro Rodríguez-Veiga, who contributed significantly to the research, reinforced that deforestation is not merely a local concern; it affects the global carbon balance. He emphasized the necessity for collaboration among governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations to fund initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring Africa’s forests.

The study serves as a wake-up call regarding the urgent need to address the challenges facing Africa’s forests. As they transition from being a crucial ally in the fight against climate change to a source of emissions, the global community must prioritize efforts to safeguard these irreplaceable ecosystems.