Global Rainforest Loss Slows in 2025 After Record Year

Researchers Report Decrease in Tropical Forest Destruction, Cite Government Policies as Key Factor

A new study by the World Resources Institute and the University of Maryland has found that the rate of tropical forest destruction slowed down last year compared to the previous year. The researchers reported a decrease of 36% in the loss of tropical primary rainforest, with a total of 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres) lost globally.

The study credits Brazil’s government policies implemented by President Lula da Silva as a key factor in reducing deforestation. According to the researchers, Brazil’s forest loss excluding fires was 41% lower than in 2024, its lowest rate on record. The decline is attributed to stronger environmental policies and enforcement since President Lula took office in 2023.

However, the researchers also noted that much of last year’s slowdown was due to a lull after an extreme fire year. They warned that fires prompted by climate change have become a “dangerous new normal”, threatening to reverse recent gains made by government efforts to tackle deforestation.

The study used satellite data for its report and found that global forest loss remains 70% above the level required to meet the 2030 goal of halting and reversing forest loss. The researchers also reported that tropical forest loss remained high in other parts of the world, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Cameroon.

Global tree cover loss fell by 14% last year, while fires accounted for 42% of the destruction worldwide. Climate change is intensifying natural fire cycles in northern and temperate regions, according to the researchers.

Source: Al Jazeera