Brazil Amazon Deforestation Falls 38 Percent in First Half of 2026

Brazil cleared an estimated 1,295 square kilometres of Amazon forest from January to June 2026, according to figures released by the government. Al Jazeera reported that the total represents a 38 percent drop from the same period in 2025 and marks the lowest six-month figure recorded since 2016.

Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research produced the statistics, which were published on 10 July.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended a ceremony in Brasilia on 11 June to announce the data. His government relaunched an anti-deforestation action plan and raised penalties for environmental crimes after he returned to office. The reductions follow a peak in 2022 when an area 13 times the size of New York City was cleared.

During Lula’s first year back in office the annual rate fell by half. Lula has authorised expanded oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River. In June the Trump administration proposed tariffs on Brazil, citing illegal deforestation among other reasons.

“They don’t understand the work we are doing to bring deforestation down to zero by 2030,” Lula said. “This is not a decision by any COP or by the United Nations. ” Researchers credited Brazil with a major share of the global drop in rainforest loss recorded in 2025.

Lula is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term and is expected to face Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in the October election.