Why land-use emissions have fallen by a third this century – in six charts
Emissions from land-use change – including deforestation, loss of peatland and forest degradation – have been falling over the course… The post Why land-use emissions have fallen by a third this century – in six charts appeared first on Carbon Brief .
Over the past century, emissions stemming from land-use change have experienced a significant decline, as highlighted by the latest Global Carbon Budget report published in Earth System Science Data in May. This trend, marked by a "statistically significant decrease" since the late 1990s, has witnessed an even steeper drop after 2015.
According to a detailed analysis by Carbon Brief in November 2025, land-use emissions reached a level in 2025 that was approximately 32% lower than their average in the preceding decade. This reduction in land-use change emissions, despite continued growth in fossil-fuel emissions, has been the subject of extensive exploration through six charts.
The article delves into the mechanisms behind this decline, examining the factors contributing to the reduction in land-use emissions. It also identifies the countries that have played a crucial role in this shift, particularly in terms of forest regrowth.
However, the estimates of land-use emissions remain uncertain, prompting a discussion on the challenges and complexities involved in accurately measuring and attributing these emissions to specific sources.
Written by urgent.news from Carbon Brief's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
