Amazon deforestation falls to record low ahead of Brazil election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 23:44 · Archive

Brazilian Amazon deforestation has reached its lowest level since records began in 1988, with 3,335 square kilometres cleared in the past year.

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1988, according to satellite data released by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research. Between August 2025 and July 2026, 3,335 square kilometres of forest were cleared, a 41.8% decrease from the previous year and beating the previous record low by 1,236 square kilometres.

The drop reflects stronger enforcement measures and state investments in environmental agencies under President Lula's administration. Since 2022, when Lula took office, the deforestation rate has slowed by 71.2%. Environment Minister Joao Paulo Capobianco described the figures as 'an absolutely stratospheric drop'. Marcio Astrini of climate advocacy group Observatorio do Clima called them 'a historic achievement' that showed 'with political will, it is possible to stop the chainsaws and curb greenhouse gas emissions'.

The improvement comes ahead of a presidential run-off on 25 October between Lula and conservative senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula fell behind in the first round of voting despite his environmental record. Lula has stated his goal is to achieve zero illegal deforestation by 2030, while Bolsonaro's son represents a sharply different vision for the rainforest's future.

How it is being reported

• Brazil: Amazon deforestation lowest in nearly 40 yearsThe latest figures show that 3,335 square kilometres of the Amazone rainforest were cleared over a year ending in July, the lowest since 1988. The drop has been described as an "historic achievement."DW News · 16 Oct, 23:30
• Brazilian Amazon deforestation falls to lowest on record as pivotal vote loomsForest clearance lowest since records began in 1988 in success for Lula ahead of presidential run-off Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has fallen its lowest level since records began, new government data shows. But whether this globally important success is maintained or reversed is on a knife edge ahead of a presidential election run-off on 25 October between two candidates with sharply different visions for the future of the rainforest and how that affects relations with the US under Donald Trump. Continue reading...Guardian World · 16 Oct, 19:56

In this story: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · Flávio Bolsonaro · Jair Bolsonaro · Brazilian Amazon · Brazil · Observatorio do Clima

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