Amazon forest fires 'bad news for CO2 reductions'

The increase in forest fires in the Amazon jungle could have long-term effects on schemes to reduce carbon emissions, a report has suggested.

Scientists from the University of Exeter and Brazil's National Institute for Space Research have found that fires could counteract the benefits of reducing deforestation.

Writing in Science, the researchers said: "Fires following drought years are likely to release a similar amount of carbon as emissions from deliberate deforestation."

The study found that fires had increased by 59 per cent in areas with reduced deforestation, having implications on the success of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) schemes.

These aim to offer governments incentives to reduce deforestation in an attempt to lower the level of carbon emissions released through processes of tree logging and land degradation.

Deforestation accounts for 20 per cent of emissions produced by humans, the research found.

Last week, more than 50 forest fires had to be put out across Canada and parts of northern America after flames spread through 1,260 sq km of Quebec forest.

Posted by Lauren Steadman.