Angola Grapples with Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Fire Incidents

Angola Grapples with Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Fire Incidents

In a concerning environmental trend, Angola has been facing a significant challenge with escalating tree cover loss and fire incidents. Over the past two decades, the country has seen a steady increase in tree cover loss, primarily driven by shifting agriculture, which accounts for the vast majority of this decline. The data indicates that shifting agriculture alone was responsible for over 95% of the total tree cover loss in recent years, highlighting the substantial impact of this practice on Angola's forests.

Wildfires also played a role, albeit a smaller one, in the tree cover loss, contributing to the release of millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions into the atmosphere. The latest incident report from Cuando Cubango Province in Angola, dated October 30, 2024, underscores the ongoing challenge, with fire alerts continuing to emerge.