Brazil’s government has reported a significant milestone in environmental conservation, with deforestation in the Amazon rainforest reaching its lowest level since 1988. Satellite data revealed that the rainforest lost 1,300 square miles from August 2025 to July 2026, marking a substantial improvement under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration. This progress reverses the surge in deforestation that occurred during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, from 2019 to 2022, when about 60% more forest was cleared.
The success is attributed to Lula’s revival of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm), which had been discontinued under Bolsonaro. The plan includes measures such as strengthening monitoring, promoting a sustainable economy, and using financial incentives to curb deforestation. The government also restored sanctions for illegal forest clearing and allocated more funding to municipalities that reduced forest loss.
Environmental groups have praised the results, with Márcio Astrini of the Climate Observatory stating that the deforestation rates show Brazil’s pledge to reach zero deforestation by 2030 is achievable. However, the future of the Amazon remains uncertain as Brazil prepares for a presidential runoff election on October 25. Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, son of the former president, won 47% of the vote in the first round, while Lula received 45%. Experts warn that a Bolsonaro victory could reverse the progress made in environmental protection.
Climate and conservation experts emphasize that the outcome of the election will be crucial in sustaining the deforestation reduction. Former Environment Minister Marina Silva noted that the deforestation reduction is a “historic achievement” but cautioned that the next administration’s policies will determine whether this progress continues. The Amazon faces ongoing threats from climate change, wildfires, and proposed legislation, making the election’s outcome critical for the rainforest’s future.