Chinese experts call for accountability over wildfire emissions, but US scientist says blame game ‘makes no sense’

Scientists in China urge creation of international carbon accounting system that includes ‘natural factors’ as ‘extreme’ forest fires become common

But sceptics point out that punishing fire-prone countries ignores the global impact of climate change

Reading Time:4 minutes

Flames from the Donnie Creek wildfire engulf a forest north of Fort St John, British Columbia, in July. Wildfires in Canada released over 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions this year. Photo: AP

Published: 2:03pm, 24 Dec 2023

Chinese scientists are calling for emissions from wildfires to be included in international carbon accounting, but a US expert warns that holding nations accountable for their wildfire emissions ignores the global impact of climate change.

In a report released on December 7, scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) called for the establishment of a full-scale, international carbon accounting system that “includes natural factors such as forest fires”.

Under this system, emissions from wildfires would be included in national carbon assessments and accounting mechanisms.

But the idea has been met with scepticism.

John Fasullo, a scientist at the United States National Centre for Atmospheric Research, said it “makes no sense” to penalise specific countries for fire-related emissions through national accounting mechanisms.

Increases in wildfires “are often the result of the emissions from other nations”, he said.

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