Massive Deforestation Recorded
Since 1985, approximately 52 million hectares of natural land in Brazil’s Amazon have been lost—an area bigger than Spain—according to MapBiomas. Nationwide, the total loss over the last 40 years amounts to 111.7 million hectares, more than three times the size of Germany. MapBiomas, a network of universities, NGOs, and tech companies, monitors changes using satellite imagery.
Rapid Land Conversion
By 1985, Brazil had already converted 60% of its land over nearly five centuries for agriculture, mining, urban development, and infrastructure. “The remaining 40% of this conversion occurred in just four decades, from 1985 to 2024,” said Tasso Azevedo, MapBiomas coordinator. The most intense deforestation took place between 1995 and 2004. In the last decade, however, degradation, climate impacts, and agricultural expansion have accelerated the loss again, according to Julia Shimbo, MapBiomas scientific coordinator. Overall, the proportion of natural land in Brazil fell from 80% in 1985 to 65% in 2024.
Drought in the Pantanal
The Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland, has experienced shorter flooding cycles each decade, culminating in 2024 as the driest year in 40 years. Last year, water coverage was 73% below the 1985–2024 average, which also fueled devastating wildfires.
Losses in the Cerrado
In Brazil’s southeastern wet savannas, the Cerrado, around 40 million hectares of natural vegetation were cleared over the past four decades, representing a 28% reduction.
Government Pledges Zero Deforestation
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pledged “zero deforestation” in Brazil by 2030. Climate protection and deforestation will be key topics at the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Belém, located in the heart of the Amazon.
