Brazil Reports Amazon Deforestation Lowest Since 2014 Ahead UN Climate Talks

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has declined for the fourth consecutive year, with a reported 11% reduction compared to the previous year, marking the lowest level since 2014. The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) recorded 5,796 square kilometers of forest loss between August 2024 and July 2025, an area nearly four times the size of Greater London. This decline is attributed to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration's intensified law enforcement, restoration of environmental agency funding, and robust anti-deforestation policies since his return to office in 2023. While deforestation in the Amazon and the Cerrado savanna has slowed, the agricultural sector remains a key driver of forest loss and greenhouse gas emissions, with Brazil being the world's sixth-largest emitter, largely due to deforestation rather than fossil fuel use. Brazil aims to achieve zero deforestation by 2030 and is leveraging these environmental improvements ahead of hosting the COP30 climate summit in Belém. However, challenges remain, including concerns over agricultural expansion and oil exploration plans that could undermine progress.