Official data indicate 5,013 km² of devastated area in the year; Cerrado remains the most affected biome, despite falling rates
Deforestation in Legal decreased by 17.4% in 2025 compared to 2024 and reached the lowest point since the beginning of the historical series of the National Institute for Space Research (), started in 2008. Between January 1st and December 19th, 5,013 square kilometers of deforested areas were recorded.
In relation to the first year of the current term of President Luiz Inácio da Silva (PT), the reduction reaches 35.8%. The result contrasts with the peak observed in 2022, the last year of the government (PL), when devastation in the Amazon totaled 12,479 square kilometers, the highest rate in the series.
Since 2019, deforestation numbers in the Amazon biome have remained above the levels recorded in previous years. Until then, the largest volume had been observed in 2008, the first year of Inpe’s systematic monitoring.
Despite the advance in the Amazon, the Cerrado remained the biome with the largest deforested area in 2025. In total, 7,235 square kilometers were recorded, a volume that, even so, represents a retraction of 11.4% compared to 2024. In comparison with 2023, the first year of the current government, the drop reaches 34.2%, when deforestation in the biome had reached 11,011 square kilometers. Since then, the Cerrado has surpassed the Amazon in annual devastated area.
The goal of ending deforestation is part of the commitments made by Lula during the election campaign. This year, it hosted the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (), held in Pará. During the meeting, the federal government launched the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF), aimed at financing environmental preservation with international resources.
The fund envisages a hybrid model, which combines remuneration for investors with financial incentives for countries that keep their forests conserved. The World Bank will act as fiduciary agent and initial manager of the initiative, whose goal is to raise up to US$125 billion, with 20% coming from participating countries and 80% from private companies.
