Amazon deforestation falls to record low in Brazil

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has dropped to its lowest annual level since official record-keeping began in 1988, according to Euronews, DW.com, and Wood Central. Official satellite data released by the Brazilian government shows that 3,335 square kilometres of rainforest were lost between August 2025 and July 2026. Euronews reported that this represents a 41.8 percent decrease from the 5,731 square kilometres cleared during the previous 12-month period. [1][3][5][14]

Euronews reported that the decline reflects renewed enforcement measures under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. During the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro from 2019 to 2022, Amazon clearing rose by approximately 60 percent, with more than 45,000 square kilometres destroyed. [1]

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has served as president of Brazil since 2023, having previously held office from 2003 to 2011. Brazil contains roughly 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest, which holds over half of the remaining tropical rainforest on Earth. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Lula da Silva has set a goal to eliminate Amazon deforestation completely by 2030. [11][13][14]

The environmental progress comes ahead of a crucial vote in Brazil. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Brazil is scheduled to hold a presidential election run-off between Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro on October 25. [1][2][4][8][9][14]