Royal Holloway researchers help shape global conversation on wildfire governance in new Nature Communications Comment

A new Comment article led by researchers in Royal Holloway's Department of Geography highlights why justice, local expertise and rethinking resilience must guide the implementation of the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter.

Writing in Nature Communications, researchers from Royal Holloway, University of London say that community-centred action and local expertise must be at the forefront of the new global wildfire charter, as part of a wider international discussion on the future of wildfire governance.

The piece, led by Dr Kapil Yadav, Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in Fire, Livelihoods & Biodiversity from the Department of Geography at Royal Holloway, was co-authored with Professor Jay Mistry, Dr Catherine Smith and Dr William Hayes - all part of the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society, a team with long-standing expertise in wildfire resilience, governance and community-led approaches.

Their Comment offers suggestions on how the recently launched Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, one of the first global frameworks committing nations to a shared approach to wildfire risk, could make the largest impact in combating global wildfires.

Introduced at the 2025 G7 Summit, the Charter arrives at a moment when extreme wildfire seasons are becoming more frequent worldwide. Its commitments - from preparedness and response to knowledge-sharing and restoration - mark a significant step towards more coordinated international action.

But the Royal Holloway team's analysis shows that the Charter's real impact lies not in its promises, but in what happens next. Their Comment highlights that wildfire risk is shaped by intertwined climate, ecological and political forces, and that meaningful change requires looking far beyond ignition numbers or firefighting capacity alone.

The authors argue that wildfire governance must take seriously the knowledge and stewardship practices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. In many fire-prone regions, these groups manage landscapes through long-established burning practices that are regenerative, culturally significant and central to local livelihoods.

When such practices are sidelined or criminalised, risk can increase - not decrease. The team emphasises that meaningful inclusion means shared authority, secure land rights and space for community-led decision-making.

The team also finds that relying heavily on technology-driven responses, while useful, can only go so far. A future of living with fire - rather than attempting to eliminate it - requires proactive, locally grounded approaches that prioritise prevention, recovery and social resilience.

Reflecting on the work, Dr Yadav, said: "The Kananaskis Wildfire Charter marks an important shift in how governments are thinking about wildfire risk, but its impact will ultimately depend on the choices made in implementation.

Jay Mistry, Professor in Geography at Royal Holloway, said: "Our analysis shows why centring justice, supporting diverse ways of living with fire and rethinking resilience are essential if the Charter is to bring about meaningful change. We hope this Comment supports conversations about how global commitments can translate into approaches that genuinely work for communities and ecosystems."

Professor Simon Blockley, Head of the Department of Geography at Royal Holloway, said: "This work demonstrates the depth of wildfire research expertise within our department and the Leverhulme Centre. Our academics are engaging directly with global policy frameworks at a pivotal moment for climate resilience. I am immensely proud of the team's contribution to shaping a more equitable and effective future for wildfire governance."

As countries take forward the Charter's commitments - reinforced most recently by the Call to Action on Integrated Fire Management and Wildfire Resilience at COP30 - Royal Holloway's researchers hope their work will help guide the shift from broad promises to grounded, community-centred action.

The full article can be read in Nature Communications.