Home / Environment / Amazon Deforestation Hits Decade Low in Brazil
Amazon Deforestation Hits Decade Low in Brazil
11 Jul
Summary
- Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon is at its lowest in ten years.
- Forest clearing dropped 38% in early 2026 compared to last year.
- President Lula reaffirmed commitment to end deforestation by 2030.
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest level in a decade during the first half of 2026, according to official government figures released on Friday. This milestone reflects President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's commitment to protecting the world's largest rainforest.
From January to June 2026, approximately 1,295 square kilometers of forest were cleared, a 38 percent decrease compared to the same period last year. This marks the lowest reduction since 2016, a significant turnaround from the peak deforestation rates observed around 2022 under the previous administration.
President Lula, who pledged to protect Brazil's environmental resources during his campaign, has successfully halved the deforestation rate during his current term. He aims to end illegal deforestation by 2030 and has relaunched an anti-deforestation action plan, increasing penalties for environmental crimes.
Despite facing scrutiny for authorizing expanded oil exploration near the Amazon River, Lula's government points to the declining deforestation rates as evidence of their successful environmental policies, countering claims of unfair trading practices and illegal deforestation made by the United States government.
