Global deforestation slowed in 2025 but surged in Congo basin: Study

In 2025, global deforestation experienced a slowdown, yet the improvement was minimal and may not be sustained. Seven million hectares (17.3 million acres) of forest were lost that year, a 15% reduction from the previous year, according to the annual Forest Declaration Assessment. The report, compiled by a coalition of research groups and NGOs, highlights that this decline falls short of meeting the pledge to end deforestation by 2030, which would require an annual reduction of around one million hectares (2.5 million acres).

The decline in deforestation was partially attributed to progress in Latin America, with a 33% decrease in deforestation, primarily in the Amazon. This success is largely due to Brazil's deforestation action plan and enhanced enforcement, though the future of these efforts is uncertain as Brazilian politics remain volatile, with a presidential runoff scheduled for October.

However, the situation in the Congo basin deteriorated significantly, with forest loss reaching 2.4 million hectares—close to the Amazon's deforestation levels for the first time. Sam Nguiffo, a lawyer and founder of the Centre for Environment and Development, emphasized the severe impact of this deforestation on local communities and cultural identity. The lawyer noted that logging for timber or agriculture and mining is the primary cause of deforestation in Central Africa.

The El Niño weather pattern, which began in June and is expected to peak later in the year, is also a concern. This event, already one of the strongest on record, poses a threat due to droughts and increased wildfire risks. If the current El Niño intensifies as predicted, it could exacerbate deforestation challenges across tropical forest regions in 2026 and beyond.