Forests that once played a critical role in removing carbon from the atmosphere are increasingly becoming significant sources of emissions, driven by record-setting fires in regions like the boreal belt, the Amazon and Australia.

Climate strategies and carbon offset frameworks often fail to incorporate the escalating impact of fire-related emissions, said researchers in a new report.

The report, from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), is entitled Beyond Planting Trees: Taking Advantage of Satellite Observations to Improve Forest Carbon Management and Wildfire Prevention.

It highlights that many afforestation projects may unintentionally worsen fire risk and result in greater carbon output if local conditions are ignored.

“Planting trees is no longer enough – warming, drought‑stressed forests can flip into vast carbon sources when they burn. Forest policy must move from static protection to dynamic risk management,” said Dr Ju Hyoung Lee, who authored the brief, in a press release.

UNU researchers stress that carbon offset schemes should evolve from simply rewarding reforestation to considering how rising temperatures, water scarcity, and insect outbreaks increase vulnerability. Effective planning must account for regional water cycles, soil resilience and predicted climate extremes, while also incorporating fire-prevention tactics such as managing combustible material on the ground.

“Forests are our powerful allies against climate change – but only if we manage them as living, dynamic systems,” said Professor Kaveh Madani, UNU-INWEH director. “By coupling satellite data with proactive management, we can prevent fires from erasing decades of carbon‑reduction progress.”

Despite mounting climate impacts, many carbon market mechanisms still base decisions on outdated forest assumptions and overlook the growing role of fire in releasing carbon. The report shows how integrating satellite surveillance and real-time forest data can strengthen both management and policy. By identifying zones where vegetation buildup poses ignition threats, authorities can more effectively steer carbon offset funding away from risky areas and toward sustainable, adaptive practices.

In specific hot, dry regions where plant photosynthesis becomes less efficient, approaches like selective grazing and harvesting may help retain ecosystem moisture and minimise fire hazards.

The brief recommends establishing an international system to deliver timely satellite insights into fire control efforts and voluntary carbon trading schemes. Such a platform could help align economic incentives with the fast-changing ecological conditions brought about by the climate crisis.