From Fire to Forest Loss: Tackling Deforestation and Carbon Emissions in South America

Deforestation, wildfires, and the carbon cycle in South America.

Several regions of South America continue to experience alarming rates of deforestation, in which wildfires play a major role. These fires, most often caused by human activity and initially intended to remain under control, frequently spread into large-scale wildfires. As a result, they accelerate forest loss and generate significant CO₂ emissions, directly contributing to global warming.

This webinar will address this issue through two complementary perspectives.

Bolivia: when policy frameworks encourage fire-based deforestation. In a context of agricultural expansion, Bolivia’s policy framework has in recent years facilitated the use of fire as a tool for deforestation. We will present the findings of a new study quantifying the annual net CO₂ emissions from deforestation and fires in the country between 2010 and 2023.

The FIRE-ADAPT project: towards integrated fire management. We will then share results from the FIRE-ADAPT project, which examines the impact of integrated fire management on the carbon cycle, biodiversity and ecosystem services. This session will also highlight key lessons from an assessment exploring how sustainable economic models can help slow the advance of deforestation along Amazonian frontier areas.

The webinar will be moderated by Marie-Noëlle Woillez (AFD), around four interventions :

Dr. Lykke E. Andersen, Executive director SDSN-Bolivia

Dr. Imma Oliveras Menor, Research director, IRD

David Combaz, Director, SalvaTerra

Vincent Caupin, Head of AFD office in Bolivia

The discussions will be held in English, without interpretation.