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 in Angola for carbon emissions during July 2026.
The findings come after a period of hot and dry weather that fuelled wildfires across the UK and internationally. Climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme heat and dry conditions, creating conditions in which fires can spread more easily.
One of the most significant fires in Torfaen has been burning near Blaenavon since 19th July. At its height, changing winds carried smoke across parts of south Wales, with the fire continuing for weeks.
Save the Children said around 15 million children worldwide lived in areas experiencing ‘extremely unusual’ carbon emission levels from wildfires between early July and early August, compared with average levels recorded between 2003 and 2025. A further 11 million children lived in areas where emissions were much higher than normal.
That includes 20,952 children and young people under 19 living in Torfaen.
Melanie Simmonds, Head of Save the Children Wales said: ‘In Wales and across the world, children are breathing in smoke from wildfires, coping with extreme heat and losing the freedom to play outdoors because the air is no longer safe. These conditions are not only frightening – they carry serious health consequences for children whose bodies and lungs are still developing.
‘It is so important that every child has access to nature and green spaces, and wildfires and extreme heat are making it more difficult for children who are already affected by poverty to enjoy the outdoors.’
The findings come after another analysis found that 84% of children in Wales experienced extreme heatwaves during the first half of 2026.
According to Lily, 15, a Save the Children Youth Advisor from Wales: ‘The extreme heat has made it so that I am too uncomfortable to sleep and my appetite has worsened greatly.’
Save the Children Cymru is calling on the Welsh Government to strengthen essential services against the effects of climate change and ensure children’s needs are considered in climate adaptation plans.
Melanie Simmonds added: ‘We’re working with partners and communities in Wales to help prepare children and families in the event of extreme weather, with a particular focus on low-income families who we know are being hit the hardest by climate change.’
The charity is also urging the UK Government to demonstrate stronger climate leadership, warning that continued fossil fuel expansion could undermine efforts to limit global warming to 1.5C and put children’s health and wellbeing at risk.
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