What percentage of greenhouse gases are released due to land changes?

The release of greenhouse gases due to land-use changes is a significant contributor to overall emissions, particularly as it encompasses activities like deforestation, agriculture, and urban development. Choosing 35% reflects a recognized estimate within environmental studies, which agree that land use change is responsible for a substantial portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through the release of carbon stored in forests and soils.

When forests are cleared for agriculture or urban development, not only is the carbon stored in trees released into the atmosphere, but the ability of the land to sequester carbon in the future diminishes. This dual effect amplifies the greenhouse gas impact resulting from land changes. Relying on established research and reports, such as those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), supports the figure of 35% as a balanced and widely accepted estimate regarding land-use changes as a source of greenhouse gas emissions.