Preliminary data from the country's National Institute for Space Research, INPE indicated that 201.1 square kilometres (77.65 square miles) of the rainforest were cleared last month, a 63.7% drop from November 2022. 

Additionally, a 50.5% overall drop in deforestation for the first 11 months of 2023 was – the lowest since 2018. While deforestation in the region continues, these figures represent improvement following new President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s statement at the COP28 climate summit that Brazil would put an end to illegal deforestation by 2030. 

President Lula highlighted the progress shown in the preliminary data, emphasizing Brazil's newly adjusted and more ambitious climate goals compared to other developed countries. Deforestation was made a priority after the surge in forest clearing experienced during his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro’s tenure. 

"Brazil is willing to lead by example," Lula told COP28. 

"We have adjusted our climate goals, which are now more ambitious than those of many developed countries, drastically reduced deforestation in the Amazon and will bring it to zero by 2030."  

Despite efforts to preserve the Amazon this year, the region is currently contending with a record-breaking drought that, according to scientists, may persist until 2026. Deforestation and fires in the Amazon typically spike between July and September during the dry season, so the declining deforestation rates were unexpected given the current climate.    

While deforestation remains a significant challenge, positive trends like this represent hope for those involved in ongoing efforts to preserve the Amazon’s ecosystems. As one of world’s most significant biodiversity hotspots and the ‘lungs of the planet’, protecting the Amazon basis is of critical importance to both the flora and fauna it contains and the many humans that rely on the ecosystem services it provides. 

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