Brazilian Amazon deforestation hits record low
Deforestation in the Amazon declined to the lowest level on record in the year to July 2026. President Lula has pledged to end deforestation, while rival Flavio Bolsonaro will make it easier to exploit the region
LEGAL AMAZON LIMIT
Forest fires in Amazonas state
Amazon rainforest
Deforestation fell 42% from previous year
Amazonas
Roraima
Amapa
Para
Maranhão
Manaus
Brasilia
Tocantins
Mato Grasso
Rondônia
Acre
Cerrado savannah
Deforestation fell 24% in 2026, to 5,517
AMAZON DEFORESTATION
km2 destroyed
President
Franco
Cardoso
Lula da Silva
Bolsonaro
Lula da Silva
1995: Deforestation peaks at 29,059
2004: 27,772
2012: Previous low 4,571
2021: 13,038
Jul 2026: Lowest on record estimate 3,335
Temer
Rousseff
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
30000
20000
10000
Sources: MCTI Brazil,  Reuters
Picture: Getty Images
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