Welsh county becomes global hotspot for carbon emissions after wildfires
Save the Children said Copernicus data showed Torfaen ranked behind three places globally, with 20,952 children living in the affected area.
- Torfaen recorded the world's fourth-highest wildfire-related carbon emissions per square kilometre in July 2026, according to Copernicus Wildfire Emissions Watch data analyzed by Save the Children, ranking behind sites in Algeria, Spain, and Angola.
- A significant wildfire burning 80 hectares near Blaenavon began on July 19, described by the fire service as "one of the largest and most challenging" in south Wales in recent years, with smoke carried 30 miles to Cardiff.
- Save the Children warned that 20,952 children under 19 live in Torfaen facing potential health risks, while globally around 15 million children inhabited areas with "extremely unusual" emission levels between early July and early August.
- Torfaen Council questioned the data's methodology, stating its monitoring station measures background air quality rather than conditions near fires; Blaenavon councillor Janet Jones reported no immediate surge in respiratory complaints despite smoke being "particularly bad" on August 13.
- Children Cymru is urging the Welsh Government to strengthen essential services against climate change effects; Jones warned that long-term health impacts for vulnerable residents with conditions like COPD "could change in the months ahead.
5 Articles
5 Articles
Welsh borough ranked fourth globally for wildfire carbon emissions
Torfaen in southeast Wales, recorded the fourth-highest intensity of wildfire-related carbon emissions per square kilometre anywhere in the world last month, according to data analysed by Save the Children. Data from Copernicus Wildfire Emissions Watch shows the Welsh local authority ranked behind Annaba in Algeria, Ávila in Spain and Malanje…
Welsh County Becomes Global Carbon Emissions Hotspot After Wildfires
A wave of wildfires sweeping through a Welsh county has pushed the region to the top of global carbon emissions rankings, according to environmental monitoring data. The blazes, which have scorched large swaths of land, released smoke so thick that residents as far as 30 miles away in Cardiff reported smelling burning in the air. The fires, believed to have started amid dry conditions and vegetation buildup, have raised alarm among environmental…
Council unaware area was among world’s worst for wildfire carbon emissions
Twm Owen – Local democracy reporter A council was unaware its area had been identified as having some of the highest wildfire carbon emissions in the world. Charity Save the Children said its analysis of published data showed Torfaen had the fourth highest intensity of carbon emissions per square kilometre in the world during July due to wildfires. Torfaen […] The post Council unaware area was among world’s worst for wildfire carbon emissions ap…
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