{"success":true,"data":{"id":"cfa71006-5d07-4859-b985-e60c6a6bc6eb","title":"Under Lula, Amazon deforestation falls to lowest level in a decade","summary":"Navigation menu NewsShow more news sections More Show more sections Click here to search Navigation menu Under Lula, Amazon deforestation falls to lowest level in a decade The figures come months before Brazil’s presidential election, with Lula promising to end illegal deforestation by 2030.","content":"[ ](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/10/under-lula-amazon-deforestation-falls-to-lowest-level-in-a-decade?traffic_source=rss#main-content-area)\n\nNavigation menu\n*   [News](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/)Show more news sections\n\n*   More Show more sections\n\nClick here to search\n\nNavigation menu\n\n# Under Lula, Amazon deforestation falls to lowest level in a decade\n\n_The figures come months before Brazil’s presidential election, with Lula promising to end illegal deforestation by 2030._\n\nListen (3 mins)\n\nSave\n\nClick here to share on social media\n\nAdd Al Jazeera on Google\n\nBrazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a ceremony announcing deforestation data in Brasilia, Brazil, on June 11 [Adriano Machado/Reuters]\n\nBy [Al Jazeera Staff](https://www.aljazeera.com/author/al_jazeera_staff_150119130629458), AFP and The Associated Press\n\nDeforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest level in a decade during the first half of 2026, according to official government figures.\n\nFriday’s statistics mark a milestone in President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s efforts to curb the destruction of the world’s largest rainforest.\n\n## Recommended Stories\n\nlist of 4 items\n*   list 1 of 4[‘Encouraging’: Global rainforest loss slows in 2025 after record year](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/29/tropical-forest-loss-slows-in-2025-after-record-year-report)\n*   list 2 of 4[US targets Brazil with new tariffs over trade practices](https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/6/2/us-targets-brazil-with-new-tariffs-over-trade-practices)\n*   list 3 of 4[Lula says Brazil cannot ‘accept treatment’ after new US tariffs proposed](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/3/lula-says-brazil-cannot-accept-treatment-after-new-us-tariffs-proposed)\n*   list 4 of 4[Flavio Bolsonaro asks Trump to delay tariffs on Brazil until after election](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/6/flavio-bolsonaro-asks-trump-to-delay-tariffs-on-brazil-until-after-election)\n\nend of list\nFrom January to June, an estimated 1,295 square kilometres (500 square miles) of forest were cleared in the Brazilian Amazon, a 38 percent drop compared with the same period last year, according to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE). It was also the lowest overall decrease since 2016.\n\nIn recent years, deforestation in Brazil reached a peak around 2022, under Lula’s far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. That year saw the clearing of an area 13 times the size of New York City.\n\nBolsonaro had advocated for “sustainable development” and mining in the Amazon, though critics say he allowed for greater environmental destruction, as well as the erosion of Indigenous rights in the region.\n\nIn the 2022 presidential race, Lula defeated Bolsonaro in part by pledging to protect Brazil’s environmental resources. He also reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to [end illegal deforestation by 2030](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/6/brazils-president-lula-unveils-plan-to-end-deforestation-by-2030).\n\nDuring Lula’s first year back in office, Brazil’s deforestation rate dropped by half and has continued to go down.\n\nBut Lula has faced scrutiny for his environmental record overall, with critics blasting his government for authorising expanded oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River.\n\nThe left-wing Lula has also navigated tensions with the right-wing government of United States President Donald Trump, a supporter of Bolsonaro.\n\nTrump vocally opposed the prosecution of Bolsonaro last year on charges of seeking to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election results. Bolsonaro has since been sentenced to 27 years in prison.\n\nGet instant alerts and updates based on your interests. Be the first to know when big stories happen.\n\nYes, keep me updated\n\nIn June, Trump officials proposed a new round of tariffs on Brazil, citing unfair trading practices and illegal deforestation among its reasons.\n\nBut Lula’s government has pointed to the latest deforestation data as undermining the Trump administration’s claims.\n\n“They don’t understand the work we are doing to bring deforestation down to zero by 2030. This is not a decision by any COP or by the United Nations,” Lula said, using the acronym for the Conference of Parties, involved in the UN’s climate change initiative. “It is a decision of our government.”\n\nResearchers [have credited Brazil](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/29/tropical-forest-loss-slows-in-2025-after-record-year-report) with playing a major role in last year’s overall drop in global rainforest loss. Brazil’s declines came as Lula relaunched an anti-deforestation action plan and increased penalties for environmental crimes.\n\nAs the world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon absorbs enormous amounts of carbon and helps regulate the global climate, with scientists and environmental groups closely monitoring deforestation, which is also the leading driver of Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions.\n\nLula is currently campaigning for his fourth non-consecutive term as president; previously, he served two terms from 2003 to 2011.\n\nIn October’s presidential race, the 80-year-old is likely to face Bolsonaro’s eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who has emerged as the main challenger on the right.\n\n[Video 1](blob:https://www.aljazeera.com/3696be7c-8a4b-433f-b3e1-f2dc442434e7)[Audio 1](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/10/under-lula-amazon-deforestation-falls-to-lowest-level-in-a-decade?traffic_source=rss)[Audio 2](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/10/under-lula-amazon-deforestation-falls-to-lowest-level-in-a-decade?traffic_source=rss)1/1 Skip Ad Continue watching after the ad![Image 3: Loading Pods](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/10/under-lula-amazon-deforestation-falls-to-lowest-level-in-a-decade?traffic_source=rss)Visit Advertiser website[GO TO PAGE](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/10/under-lula-amazon-deforestation-falls-to-lowest-level-in-a-decade?traffic_source=rss#)\n\n*   ## About\n\nAbout Show more","source_name":"Al Jazeera","source_url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/10/under-lula-amazon-deforestation-falls-to-lowest-level-in-a-decade?traffic_source=rss","url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/10/under-lula-amazon-deforestation-falls-to-lowest-level-in-a-decade?traffic_source=rss","author":"Unknown Author","author_name":"Unknown Author","published_at":"2026-07-10T22:36:18.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-10T22:36:18.000Z","image_url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/reuters_6a515ee6-1783717606.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80","category":"world","topic":"world","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":4,"word_count":701,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot"}}