Brazil reported a decline in Amazon deforestation for the fourth consecutive year, reducing it by 11%. This matters as it highlights progress in combating climate change ahead of the COP30 summit.

On Thursday, the Brazilian government revealed that deforestation in the Amazon rainforest has decreased for the fourth consecutive year, with a reported reduction of 11% from the previous year. The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) reported that 5,796 square kilometers of forest were lost between August 2024 and July 2025. This announcement is timely as Brazil prepares to host the UN climate summit COP30, where President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will highlight these environmental achievements. Lula has committed to ending all deforestation by 2030, and since taking office in 2023, deforestation rates have been cut in half. Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva expressed optimism about these results but emphasized the need for continued efforts to achieve zero deforestation by the target year. Deforestation is a major contributor to Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions, primarily driven by agricultural expansion.