Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has dropped to its lowest level in nearly four decades, according to official data released Friday, marking a significant environmental milestone just days before the country’s presidential runoff.
Between August 2025 and July 2026, 3,335 square kilometers of forest were cleared, reflecting a nearly 42% decrease compared to the previous year. This is the smallest area of deforestation recorded since systematic monitoring began in 1988, according to figures from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research. The agency uses its "Prodes" satellite system to track changes in the Amazon, which contains roughly 60% of the world’s largest rainforest.
Environment Minister Joao Paulo Capobianco described the drop as “stratospheric” during a press conference in Brasilia, calling the development “like a dream.” President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is seeking reelection in the October 25 runoff against conservative senator Flavio Bolsonaro, also welcomed the news. On social media platform X, Lula reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eliminating illegal deforestation by 2030.
The recent decline in deforestation follows a steady downward trend since 2022, amounting to a cumulative reduction of 71.2% over the four years of Lula’s current presidency. Analysts attribute the improvement to enhanced monitoring efforts and tougher enforcement measures against illegal logging, signaling a reversal from the trend under Jair Bolsonaro’s administration from 2019 to 2022. During Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency, the Amazon lost nearly 11,600 square kilometers of forest, an increase of nearly 60% over the prior four-year period.
Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, praised his father’s stance against what he described as a “radical environmental agenda.” However, he has also pledged to treat the environment as a “strategic asset” and aims to eliminate illegal deforestation by 2029 if elected.
With the Amazon rainforest playing a crucial role in global climate regulation by absorbing greenhouse gases, the reduction in deforestation is seen as a positive development amid broader concerns about climate change and environmental protection. The upcoming presidential election may influence Brazil’s future policies on forest conservation and environmental management.