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- Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon decreased by 30.6% year-over-year from August 2023, with only 6,288 square kilometers lost, the lowest rate in nine years.
- President Lula’s administration aligns with its pledge to end illegal deforestation by 2030, marking significant progress compared to his predecessor’s term.
- The Cerrado savanna also saw a reduction in deforestation, dropping by 25.7%, amidst Brazil’s broader efforts to cut carbon emissions.
The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, reported a significant milestone in forest conservation: the smallest annual deforestation rate in the Amazon in nearly a decade. According to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), deforestation dropped by 30.6% in the year starting August 2023. During this period, 6,288 square kilometers (2,427 square miles) of forest were cleared, the lowest since 2014, INPE Director Gilvan Oliveira confirmed.
Environment Minister Marina Silva hailed the reduction as a “significant drop,” supporting Brazil’s strategy to curb carbon emissions. The announcement comes days before Brazil’s delegation participates in the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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Over the past century, the Amazon, covering approximately 40% of South America, has faced continuous threats from agriculture, cattle ranching, logging, mining, and urban development, resulting in the loss of 20% of its area. Scientists continue to warn that persistent deforestation risks tipping the forest into becoming a net emitter of carbon, accelerating global climate change.
The Cerrado savanna, known as the world’s most biodiverse savanna located in central Brazil, also experienced a 25.7% decrease in deforestation, amounting to 8,174 square kilometers saved.
President Lula’s achievement stands in stark contrast to his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro’s administration, during which deforestation surged by 75% compared to the previous decade’s average. Lula remains committed to ending illegal deforestation by 2030, despite ongoing challenges from entrenched interests in agriculture and development.
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