The rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has surged to a 15-year high, casting doubts on Brazil's commitment to ending rainforest destruction. Between August 2020 and July 2021, more than 13,200 square kilometres of rainforest were cleared, marking a 22% year-on-year increase and the highest rate since 2006. Over the past three years, Brazil has lost over 30,000 square kilometres of tree cover in the rainforest, an area equivalent to the size of Belgium. The main drivers behind this deforestation include illegal logging, cattle ranching, gold mining, and land grabbing.
At COP26, Brazil made a pledge to eliminate illegal deforestation by 2030. However, sceptics argue that President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly shown support for those responsible for forest destruction. Just one week before COP26, he met with gold miners in the Amazonian territory. Brazil's environment minister has claimed that the data does not reflect the government's recent efforts to combat deforestation, such as the hiring of 700 additional environmental enforcement agents and increased funding for the country's environmental protection bodies.
The escalating deforestation issue is expected to put increasing pressure on Brazil's international relations, particularly with European nations.
