Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires in Botswana
Botswana: Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires was 8.54 million tonnes in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires in Botswana, 2003–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2026, annual co₂ emissions from wildfires in Botswana stood at 8.54 million tonnes. That is the lowest value across all 24 years on record.
The figure is down 20.5% on the previous year and down 32.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual co₂ emissions from wildfires in Botswana peaked at 110.03 million tonnes in 2011 and was at its lowest, 8.54 million tonnes, in 2026.
That places Botswana 51st out of 248 countries with data for 2026, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires in Botswana, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 12.67 million tonnes | — |
| 2004 | 9.09 million tonnes | -28.2% |
| 2005 | 17.24 million tonnes | +89.6% |
| 2006 | 27.56 million tonnes | +59.9% |
| 2007 | 18.02 million tonnes | -34.6% |
| 2008 | 57.50 million tonnes | +219.2% |
| 2009 | 13.77 million tonnes | -76.1% |
| 2010 | 93.40 million tonnes | +578.5% |
| 2011 | 110.03 million tonnes | +17.8% |
| 2012 | 34.15 million tonnes | -69.0% |
| 2013 | 27.61 million tonnes | -19.1% |
| 2014 | 17.57 million tonnes | -36.4% |
| 2015 | 18.25 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 12.64 million tonnes | -30.7% |
| 2017 | 25.17 million tonnes | +99.1% |
| 2018 | 18.90 million tonnes | -24.9% |
| 2019 | 15.68 million tonnes | -17.0% |
| 2020 | 14.07 million tonnes | -10.3% |
| 2021 | 60.56 million tonnes | +330.4% |
| 2022 | 53.92 million tonnes | -11.0% |
| 2023 | 77.60 million tonnes | +43.9% |
| 2024 | 15.83 million tonnes | -79.6% |
| 2025 | 10.74 million tonnes | -32.1% |
| 2026 | 8.54 million tonnes | -20.5% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 8.54 million tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.27 million tonnes, 6.7× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 8.54 million tonnes is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8.74 million tonnes, 98% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires in Botswana changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | +578.5% | 13.77 million tonnes | 93.40 million tonnes |
| 2021 | +330.4% | 14.07 million tonnes | 60.56 million tonnes |
| 2008 | +219.2% | 18.02 million tonnes | 57.50 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 22.26 million tonnes | 9.09 million tonnes | 57.50 million tonnes | 7 |
| 2010s | 37.34 million tonnes | 12.64 million tonnes | 110.03 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 34.47 million tonnes | 8.54 million tonnes | 77.60 million tonnes | 7 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More climate change data for Botswana
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 17.55 million kg (2023)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 5,640 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 1,795 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 3,846 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 6.77 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 137.34 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 17.36 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 14.07 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 3.29 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 0.0531 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual co₂ emissions from wildfires in Botswana?
- Annual co₂ emissions from wildfires in Botswana was 8.54 million tonnes in 2026, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual co₂ emissions from wildfires recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 110.03 million tonnes in 2011.
- What is the lowest annual co₂ emissions from wildfires recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.54 million tonnes in 2026.
- How does Botswana rank for annual co₂ emissions from wildfires?
- Botswana ranks 51st out of 248 countries with data for 2026.
- Is annual co₂ emissions from wildfires rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 32.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Carbon dioxide released by wildfires in tonnes. The 2026 data is incomplete and was last updated 18 September 2026.