Australia has experienced a single wildfire incident in Western Australia as of December 26, 2024, continuing a concerning trend of tree cover loss across the country. Over the past two decades, the nation has seen a significant fluctuation in tree cover loss, with a notable peak in 2020, where over 2.35 million hectares were lost, marking an alarming year for environmental health. This loss accounted for the highest recorded carbon emissions, reaching approximately 685 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent.
The data indicates that wildfires have been a predominant driver of tree cover loss, particularly in years like 2019 and 2020, where they were responsible for the majority of the damage. In contrast, the year 2022 showed a decrease in tree cover loss to around 119,000 hectares, suggesting a potential respite from the previous years' high rates of loss. However, the overall trend remains negative, with a net loss of over 916,000 hectares, indicating that gains in tree cover are not keeping pace with losses.
Explore country profileThe impact of these losses is not just limited to the environment but also affects biodiversity, climate regulation, and community livelihoods. As Australia continues to face these environmental challenges, the data underscores the need for ongoing attention and action to mitigate tree cover loss and enhance the resilience of ecosystems.
