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Human activities, primarily through greenhouse gas emissions, have unequivocally caused global warming, with global surface temperature reaching 1.1°C above 1850-1900 levels during the 2011-2020 period. All regions of the world are experiencing extreme events (such as heat waves, droughts, and heavy rainfall), which have become more frequent since the 1950s, even in places where they were previously uncommon.

Extreme events will increase in frequency and intensity until 2030. Climate change is projected to heighten the risk of wildfires globally, with a 30% rise expected by 2050 and more than a 50% increase by the end of the century, affecting even regions previously not exposed to these disasters. As evidence, climate change triggered an "exceptional" drought in the Amazon in 2023, resulting in the lowest water levels in the rivers in 120 years. For Peru, an increase of more than 200% in wildfire occurrences has been reported from 2019 to 2022 (from 654 in 2019 to 1,432 in 2022), with 98% caused by human action. Key causes include crop residue burning (slash and burn), grassland burning, among others. According to INDECI, over the last 20 years (2003-2023), there have been 6,556 wildfire emergencies across Peru, with a significant rise since 2019. Of these, 28% occurred in the Department of Cusco (1,817 emergencies), and 1.6% in the Department of Madre de Dios. Over the same period, the Manu Biosphere Reserve recorded a total of 31,200 hectares (or 312 km²) burned, mainly in the transition and buffer zones, which correspond to the dry forests of the inter-Andean valleys, central Andean punas, and Yungas ecoregions.
 

In a joint effort to combat the growing threats of climate change in the Amazon, UNESCO and LVMH have partnered to reinforce wildfire prevention in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, as part of their work in eight Amazonian Biosphere Reserves located in Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. This initiative focuses not only on preserving the area's extraordinary biodiversity but also on protecting the lives and livelihoods of the communities most affected by natural disasters.

Recognising the vital importance of strengthening the response capacities of the local population, UNESCO, in partnership with the Frankfurt Zoological Society - Peru (FZS), has developed training workshops and provided equipment for the formation of specialised community forest brigades. These brigades, comprised of members of peasant communities and park rangers, are mainly trained to carry out preventive work and awareness-raising. The training includes fire management techniques, fire ecology, and prevention, which are vital for safeguarding lives in emergencies, in line with the guidelines of the SINANPE Forest Fire Risk Management Strategy. This effort not only enhances local firefighting capacities but also empowers communities, making them key players in the conservation of their environment. These initiatives have been coordinated with other efforts developed by FZS through funding from German Cooperation (GIZ) and with support from the International Climate Protection Initiative (IKI, by its acronym in Germany).

As part of the strategy to control the spread of wildfires in the core zone of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, the second phase of the Wildfire Control Line around the boundaries of the Manu National Park has been prioritised. The Control Line refers to all constructed or natural barriers and treated fire edges used to control a fire, as defined by the U.S. National Wildfire Coordinating Group; it also serves as a monitoring network and rapid mobilisation system for the response teams of the Manu forest brigades. This stage of the Control Line was designed and built with the participation of eight peasant communities in the area, the management of Manu National Park (SERNANP), and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, along a stretch of nearly 32 km. This has allowed the mobilisation of financial resources to benefit peasant families' economies, as well as raising awareness and fostering joint work to prevent wildfires. The first stage of the Control Line was built by the Frankfurt Zoological Society along a 36 km stretch in 2021.

Based on the experience gained, a strategy for Forest Fire Risk Management in the Manu Biosphere Reserve has been collaboratively developed with the participation of community leaders, experts, local authorities, and the management of Manu National Park. This strategy covers the identification of risk areas, sustainable management practices, and community education on fire prevention and response, thereby strengthening resilience and risk management in these vulnerable communities. Additionally, the strategy includes a capacity-building programme for the forest brigades of Manu National Park and the community forest brigades, an analysis of gaps for the inclusion of cutting-edge technology in wildfire prevention and fighting, as well as territorial coordination with local and regional authorities in disaster risk management, as outlined in the Roadmap for Forest Fire Management in Peru. These UNESCO initiatives, in partnership with LVMH in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, demonstrate the power of international and community collaboration in seeking sustainable and effective disaster risk management solutions. These efforts not only protect an invaluable natural heritage but also provide practical tools to communities facing the challenges of climate change.
 

The Manu Biosphere Reserve (MBR) is located between the regions of Cusco and Madre de Dios in southeastern Peru, at the confluence of the Andes and the Amazon. It was recognised by UNESCO in 1977 with the aim of conserving its exceptional biological and cultural diversity and promoting its sustainable development. It covers an area of over 2.4 million hectares of forest. The biodiversity of the MBR is impressive, with nearly 10% of the world's bird species, 5% of its mammals, and a vast number of fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. More than 5,000 plant species, equivalent to 1% of the world’s flora, have been recorded in the MBR. It is home to at least 50 globally threatened animal species, according to the IUCN Red List, and lies within the Tropical Andes hotspot, the richest and most diverse region in the world.