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Tropical Forest Loss Drops 36% in 2025, Agriculture Still Driving

4/29/2026

29 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Tropical forest loss fell 36% in 2025, the first decline after a record-high year.
Brazil’s anti-deforestation policies limited 2025 pristine forest loss to 4.3 million hectares.
Agricultural expansion remained the leading driver of forest loss worldwide, affecting Brazil, Bolivia, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Indonesia’s food-estate program boosted deforestation in 2025 despite earlier palm-oil limits.

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Story summary

Tropical forest loss fell 36% in 2025, the first decline after a record-high year.
Brazil’s anti-deforestation policies limited 2025 pristine forest loss to 4.3 million hectares.
Agricultural expansion remained the leading driver of forest loss worldwide, affecting Brazil, Bolivia, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Indonesia’s food-estate program boosted deforestation in 2025 despite earlier palm-oil limits.