Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon drops 38% in first half-year

The Brazilian Amazon lost 1,294 square kilometers of rainforest in the first half of 2026, marking a 38% decrease compared to the same period in 2025. This figure represents the lowest level of deforestation for the first six months of the year since 2017, according to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

In June specifically, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest dropped by 35% compared to June of the previous year. This reduction aligns with the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's goal to achieve zero illegal deforestation by 2030. The government has intensified efforts to enforce environmental regulations, a stark contrast to the policies of former President Jair Bolsonaro, whose term saw accelerated forest clearing.

During Bolsonaro's presidency, over 10,000 square kilometers of the Amazon were deforested annually. The period between 2020 and 2021 alone saw 13,000 square kilometers cleared, the highest figure recorded since 2006. The current administration's renewed focus on environmental protection and enforcement is credited with the significant decline in forest loss.

The INPE's satellite monitoring system provides crucial data for tracking these changes. The sustained reduction in deforestation rates suggests a potential shift in environmental policy and its impact on the Amazon, a vital global ecosystem. The government's commitment to increased fiscalization aims to ensure continued progress towards its ambitious 2030 target.