Under Lula, Amazon deforestation falls to lowest level in a decade

Brazil's Amazon rainforest experienced a significant reduction in forest clearing during the opening months of 2026, marking a notable achievement in environmental protection efforts. Official statistics released Friday showed that approximately 1,295 square kilometres of forest were cleared between January and June, representing a substantial decline from the previous year and the lowest rate recorded since 2016.

The improvement reflects a reversal of trends that peaked under the previous administration. During 2022, deforestation reached severe levels under former President Jair Bolsonaro, with cleared areas equivalent to roughly 13 times the size of New York City. Bolsonaro's approach had emphasized resource extraction and mining activities, which environmental advocates argued accelerated forest loss and undermined Indigenous land rights.

President Lula's environmental strategy has centered on enforcement and policy implementation. Since returning to office, his administration relaunched an anti-deforestation action plan and increased penalties for environmental violations. The government has attributed the declining deforestation rates to these enforcement measures and expanded monitoring efforts.

However, Lula's environmental record faces scrutiny from multiple directions. Critics have challenged his approval of expanded oil exploration near the Amazon River's mouth, while the Trump administration has cited deforestation concerns in proposing new tariffs on Brazilian goods. Lula's government has countered that the latest data demonstrates meaningful progress toward its 2030 target for eliminating illegal deforestation, framing the achievement as a sovereign policy decision rather than a response to external pressure.