‘Encouraging’: Global rainforest loss slows in 2025 after record year

Tropical forest destruction eased last year from a record high, with the world losing 4.3 million hectares of primary rainforest, a 36 percent decline from the previous year. Despite this progress, forest loss remains 70 percent above the level required to meet the 2030 goal of halting and reversing forest loss. Sharp declines in Brazil, home to the world's largest rainforest, were attributed to stronger environmental policies and enforcement since President Lula took office.