Amazon Rainforest Deforestation Hits Lowest Level Since 1988... 'Could It Become a Factor in Brazil's Presidential Election?'

Deforestation has steadily declined since Lula took office
Environmental issues expected to be a major point of contention in the election

The area of deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest level since satellite monitoring began in 1988.

The Guardian and other British media outlets reported, citing satellite monitoring data released on October 17 (Korea time) by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), that 3,335 sq km of forest in the Amazon was destroyed from August 2025 to July 2026. This was a 41.8% decrease from the 5,731 sq km recorded over the same period a year earlier. The previous record low was 4,571 sq km in 2011-2012.

The area of deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest level since 1988. Pixabay

The results are being attributed to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's restoration of environmental regulations and stepped-up crackdown on illegal logging since taking office. When Lula took office in 2023, he pledged to end illegal deforestation by 2030. His government then restored environmental regulations and enforcement systems that had been weakened under former President Jair Bolsonaro, and resumed policies to curb deforestation.

A key policy revived by the Lula government is the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Amazon (PPCDAm). The plan includes strengthening satellite surveillance and environmental enforcement, imposing sanctions on land where illegal development has taken place, managing protected areas, and supporting sustainable economic activities. Other key measures include increasing staffing and funding for environmental authorities and tightening penalties for environmental crimes such as illegal logging.

Deforestation has steadily declined since Lula took office. According to Brazilian government data, the annual area of deforestation in the Amazon fell by about 71% from 2022 to 2026. During Jair Bolsonaro's administration, before Lula came to power, deforestation surged as environmental regulations and enforcement were weakened. Analysts say it has since begun to decline as the current government shifted its policy approach.

Deforestation also declined in the Cerrado, a tropical savanna region south of the Amazon. Over the same period, 5,517 sq km of vegetation was destroyed in the Cerrado, down about 24% from the previous year. The figure was also the lowest recorded since satellite monitoring data for the region began to be compiled.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Yonhap News Agency

Marcio Astrini, executive secretary of the climate group Climate Observatory, called the figures a historic achievement, saying, "They show that deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions can be curbed when there is political will."

Environmental issues are also expected to be a major point of contention in Brazil's presidential election. Right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, who will face President Lula in the runoff on October 25, is the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Concerns have been raised that environmental regulations and enforcement could change if he is elected.

For President Lula, the decline in deforestation is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of his environmental policies. However, he must also secure support from voters who prioritize agricultural and mining development and economic growth. The election is expected to affect not only Brazil's forest conservation policies but also international climate efforts to preserve the Amazon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.