Opportunities and challenges for savanna burning emissions abatement in southern Africa

Savanna fires occurring in sub-Saharan Africa account for over 60% of global fire extent, which more than half occurs the Southern Hemisphere contributing ~29% emissions. Building on experience reducing savanna emissions fire-prone north Australian savannas through implementation an internationally accredited ‘savanna burning’ abatement methodology, we explore opportunities and challenges associated with application a similar approach to incentivise reduction southern African savannas. We first show that focal region covering seven contiguous countries, at least 80% annual large (>250 ha) extent occur under relatively severe late dry season (LDS) fire-weather conditions, predominantly sparsely inhabited areas. then assess feasibility adapting methodology exploratory field studies Tsodilo Hills World Heritage site north-west Botswana, Niassa Special Reserve northern Mozambique. Our assessment demonstrates burning method focused undertaking strategically located early (EDS) reduce LDS wildfire resultant meets key technical criteria, including: fine fuels tend be markedly greater EDS given seasonal leaf litter inputs; significantly combust fuels; methane nitrous oxide emission factors are essentially equivalent periods cured fuel conditions. In discussion consider caveats need addressed progressing development methods sustainable management, emissions, support community livelihoods wildfire-dominated