Efforts to combat deforestation in Brazil have made considerable progress in 2024, with significant reductions observed in the Amazon and Cerrado regions. According to recent data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), deforestation in the Amazon has dropped by 30.6%, while the Cerrado has seen a 25.7% decrease from August 2023 to July 2024. This progress reflects a combination of effective public policies, partnerships, and the reactivation of environmental governance focused on preserving these critical ecosystems.
Deforestation in Amazon and Cerrado Declines in 2024
Inpe’s Prodes system, which monitors deforestation using high-resolution satellite imagery, recorded 6,288 km² of deforestation in the Amazon, marking the largest percentage drop in 15 years. The Cerrado’s deforested area fell to 8,174 km², the lowest rate since 2019. These reductions represent the first decline in five years for the Cerrado and a significant year-over-year drop in the Amazon, where consecutive decreases above 25% have not been seen since the mid-2000s.
Role of Prodes and Enhanced Enforcement
A primary driver behind this progress has been the intensified enforcement efforts supported by the Prodes system, which uses satellite imagery to provide a highly accurate map of deforestation. Together with daily alerts from the Deter system, which allows for real-time tracking of forest clearing activities, enforcement by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and ICMBio has increased significantly. In the Amazon, the issuance of fines for environmental violations increased by 98%, while the Cerrado saw a yearly increase of 20% in penalties.
Government Initiatives and Regional Partnerships
To address the challenges of forest conservation, the federal government signed an agreement with the states in the Matopiba region (Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia) to prevent and control deforestation and wildfires. This pact aligns with the federal goal to achieve zero deforestation across all biomes by 2030. The Matopiba agreement strengthens collaboration between regional governments and the federal authorities to penalize illegal deforestation activities and to enhance transparency, information sharing, and strategy development for forest and water conservation.
Sustainable Development Programs and Expanded Conservation Efforts
The government has furthered its commitment to sustainability by reinstating the Action Plans for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in both the Amazon and Cerrado. Sustainable development initiatives include the participation of 48 priority municipalities in the Union with Municipalities Program, with a $770 million investment to combat deforestation and wildfires. Additional programs, such as the National Bioeconomy Strategy and the expansion of forest concessions, reflect a multi-faceted approach to conservation that also fosters local economic growth.
Financial and Legislative Instruments
On the financial front, the Amazon Fund has been revived, securing $1.4 billion in contracted donations, with additional pledges amounting to $3.1 billion. Key regulatory updates include Resolution No. 5081/23, which tightens rural credit restrictions in areas with environmental suspensions, in addition to benefits for farmers who adopt low-carbon agriculture techniques. Other measures involve using gold trade receipts to curb illegal mining and newly created paths for recognizing traditional territories in public forest areas.
This comprehensive environmental agenda showcases Brazil’s renewed commitment to long-term forest preservation, aiming to achieve impactful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and foster a sustainable model of forest management for the Amazon and Cerrado biomes.