Zambia has experienced a significant surge in tree cover loss over the past two decades, with a recent incident highlighting the ongoing challenge. On October 23, 2024, a wildfire alert was issued in the Southern Province, marking yet another event in the country's struggle against environmental degradation. Zambia's tree cover, which spans over 24 million hectares, has seen a net decline of 7.30%, with a total loss of over 3.60 million hectares. The primary driver of this loss has been shifting agriculture, accounting for a staggering majority of the deforestation, followed by urbanization and wildfires. The impact on the country's carbon emissions has been profound, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere. The latest data serves as a stark reminder of the environmental challenges facing Zambia, with wildfires adding to the already critical situation of habitat loss and climate change impacts.
Explore country profile