Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from prescribed fires are poorly investigated, resulting in a high uncertainty in GHG budgets. Using, a carbon mass balance approach and experimental prescribed fires in 80 plots, this study assessed carbon emissions and established emission factors (EFs) for carbon dioxides (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH₄) across climate zones and vegetation types. In grass and shrub savannas, fires could burn intensely due to the lower moisture content and continuous spatial distribution of biomass fuel, causing greater carbon emissions with 1.61 ± 0.13 t C ha⁻¹ and 1.01 ± 0.13 t C ha⁻¹, respectively. Despite their low carbon emissions, tree savannas (1658.17 ± 11.13 g kg⁻¹) and woodlands (1629.94 ± 12.23 g kg⁻¹) have the highest EFs, which can be attribute to the high carbon content of biomass fuel in these vegetation types. Vegetation types and their interaction with climate zones have a substantial impact on carbon emissions and carbon species EFs, and should therefore be considered in assessing GHG emissions from fires. The findings from this study provide a useful basis for improving the national measurement, reporting, and verification of GHG emissions and for improving the measurement of the global balance of GHG emissions from fires.

Agricultural biomass burning plays a critical role in carbon emissions, with implications for climate change. This study aims to assess carbon (C) emissions and establish C, CO, CO₂ and CH₄ emission factors (EFs) by simultaneously testing the effects of climatic conditions and cropland category on gas emissions. In Burkina Faso, 96 experimental fires were conducted in accordance with farmers’ operations during the land-clearing season in two climatic zones (Sudanian and Sudano-Sahelian) and across two cropland categories (Cropland Remaining Cropland (CC) and Land Converted to Cropland (LC)). The carbon mass balance technique was applied to estimate emissions. Climate zone and cropland category significantly influenced carbon emissions and emission factors (p < 0.05). The Sudanian zone recorded the highest carbon emissions (0.24 ± 0.01 t C ha⁻¹). For cropland category, LC recorded the highest carbon emissions with an average value of 0.27 ± 0.01 t C ha⁻¹. CO₂ EFs ranged from 1661.44 ± 3.63 g kg⁻¹ in the Sudanian zone to 1716.51 ± 3.24 g kg⁻¹ in the Sudano-Sahelian zone. EFs showed a dependence on the cropland category, with the highest EFs in CC. Smart agricultural practices limiting cropland expansion and biomass burning need to be promoted. This study provides vital information useful for supporting decision making as part of Nationally Determined Contributions.

The intensive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in maize (Zea mays L.) cropping in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) contributes significantly to nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Due to limited data on emissions and emission factors (EFs) in SSA, this study investigates GHG emissions and proposes EFs under different fertilization regimes in maize cropping in Burkina Faso (West Africa). A randomized complete block design was used with five treatments: (i) control: no fertilizer (CK), (ii) cattle manure (M), (iii) chemical fertilizer (NPK), (iv) a combination of chemical fertilizer and cattle manure (NPKM) at the national recommended rate, and (v) farmers’ practices, which involve chemical fertilizer combined with manure at the farmers’ rate (NPKM+). Cumulative N₂O emissions varied significantly among treatments (p < 0.05), with the highest under NPKM (2.86 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹) and the lowest under CK (1.93 ± 0.11 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹). NPKM also showed the highest methane (CH₄) uptake (−0.62 kg CH₄-C ha⁻¹; p < 0.001), while CK exhibited an increasing trend (0.74 kg CH₄-C ha⁻¹). The highest N₂O EF was recorded for NPK (0.37 ± 0.05%), 63% lower than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change default value. Although NPKM treatment resulted in the highest global warming potential and maize yield, it also achieved the lowest greenhouse gas intensity per unit of yield, highlighting a more efficient trade-off between productivity and climate impact with nitrogen fertilizer use. NPKM+ was the most effective in maintaining high maize productivity with lower yield-scaled N₂O emissions and GHG intensity. These findings suggest that an integrated approach combining organic and inorganic fertilizers can mitigate soil GHG emissions. Further research is needed to refine climate-smart fertilizer combinations for sustainable maize production in SSA.