Amazon Deforestation Hits 10-Year Low in Early 2026

Brazil’s National Space Agency (INPE) reports that deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell to a 10-year low in the first half of 2026. Between January and June, 1,295 square kilometers of forest were cleared, a 38% decrease from the 2,090 square kilometers deforested during the same period in 2025.

Experts at the Amazon Environmental Research Institute attribute this reduction to strong political will and demonstrate that deforestation rates respond to governmental and societal decisions. Despite this progress, threats to the Amazon remain, including illegal gold mining and forest fires.

In 2024, fires caused approximately 60% of primary forest loss, but the area burned in the first half of 2026 was nearly 40% smaller than the 2013-2025 average. Brazil’s government is preparing for a potentially strong El Niño event expected to bring drought conditions and increased fire risk through early 2027, having increased the national firefighting budget by 20%.