Indonesia wildfires release massive carbon stores from peatlands

Wildfires in Indonesia are causing massive carbon releases as fires spread through Sumatra and Kalimantan. Satellite data from the Copernicus service indicates that emissions from these fires reached approximately 58 million tonnes in 2026, nearly double the historical annual average of 32 million tonnes recorded between 2003 and 2025.

A critical factor is the burning of peatlands, which store carbon accumulated over millennia. When these areas ignite, they transform from long-term carbon sinks into short-term carbon sources. Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni identified September as a decisive month for containment efforts amid an exceptionally intense El Niño phenomenon.

Between January and July, 107,465 hectares have already been destroyed, representing a 110% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency has reported 182 active fire hotspots, with more than 145 concentrated in Kalimantan alone.