Brazil reports that Amazon deforestation has decreased to its lowest level since 1988.
Brazil’s government has reported a significant decline in annual deforestation rates in the Amazon rainforest, marking the lowest levels since records began in 1988. According to official satellite data, the rainforest lost 3,335 square kilometers (approximately 1,300 square miles) between August 2025 and July 2026, a period that serves as the basis for calculating the annual rate. This data underscores the effectiveness of Brazil’s renewed efforts to combat deforestation, particularly under the leadership of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who succeeded former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Under Bolsonaro’s presidency from 2019 to 2022, deforestation in the Amazon increased dramatically by about 60%, resulting in over 45,000 square kilometers (17,400 square miles) of forest loss. In stark contrast, the current administration has achieved a 71% reduction in deforestation rates since 2023, illustrating a significant turnaround in environmental policy.
One of Lula’s initial actions after taking office in January 2023 was to reinstate the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon, known by its Portuguese acronym, PPCDAm. This comprehensive plan, originally established in 2004, had been largely neglected during the Bolsonaro administration. It aims to strengthen monitoring and enforcement, promote a sustainable economy, manage protected areas, and implement regulations and financial incentives to combat deforestation.
Key measures implemented by the Lula administration include reinstating penalties for illegal forest clearing detected by satellite monitoring, enhancing funding for Amazon municipalities that demonstrate reductions in forest loss, and mobilizing resources to tackle environmental crimes. Experts have expressed optimism that achieving Brazil’s pledge to reach zero deforestation by 2030 is feasible without hindering the country’s economic growth, as evidenced by agricultural production reaching record highs alongside declining deforestation rates.
Despite these achievements, the Amazon still faces numerous challenges, including climate change, proposed legislation that may impede environmental protections, and the potential impact of a changing political landscape. Recent trends show that degradation due to wildfires, logging, and drought continues to threaten around 40% of the Amazon. A strong El Niño weather pattern could exacerbate these conditions in the coming years, leading to hotter and drier environments that increase wildfire susceptibility.
The upcoming presidential runoff election, in which President Lula faces Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, could have significant implications for the Amazon. Both candidates present markedly different approaches to environmental policy, with experts warning that a victory for Bolsonaro could reverse existing measures to protect the rainforest. Lula has committed to achieving zero net deforestation by 2030, while Flávio Bolsonaro aims to end illegal deforestation by 2029.
As climate and conservation experts closely monitor the results of the upcoming election, they emphasize the critical role that Brazil’s leadership will play in shaping the future of the Amazon rainforest. Continued advocacy for robust environmental protections and sustainable practices will be essential for maintaining progress achieved thus far.
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