Brazil’s government has reported that deforestation rates across the country's Amazon and savanna regions have reached record lows, a development occurring just ahead of a critical presidential election run-off. The future of the rainforest remains a central issue in the contest between left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his challenger, Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The two candidates are scheduled to face off on 25 October, with recent polling indicating a highly competitive race. While Flavio is expected to continue his father's policies if he wins, he has pledged to fight organised crime in the Amazon.
Satellite data covering the year ending in July 2026 reveals that the deforestation rate in the Amazon fell by 41.8%, representing the most significant decline since records began in 1988. Additionally, the Cerrado, which serves as Brazil’s savanna region, saw a 23.8% reduction in forest loss. Environment Minister Joao Paulo Capobianco characterized the decline as "absolutely stratospheric," while Marcio Astrini, executive secretary of the climate advocacy group Observatorio do Clima, labeled it an "historic achievement" for the nation. Astrini further noted that the data demonstrates that "with political will, it is possible to curb deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions."
The Amazon rainforest, which is 60% located within Brazil, is the largest in the world and serves as a vital buffer against global climate change by absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide. During the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro from 2019 to 2022, forest clearances increased significantly as he promoted mining in indigenous lands and reduced resources for environmental protection. Official data cited by AFP indicates that the Amazon lost nearly 60% more forest land during that period compared to the preceding four years.
Upon taking office three years ago, President Lula pledged to eliminate deforestation in the Amazon by 2030. He has since reversed several of his predecessor's policies, tightening environmental monitoring and increasing penalties for illegal logging. On Friday, Lula reaffirmed his administration's commitment in a post on X, stating, "Our goal is to achieve zero illegal deforestation by 2030."
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