Despite pledges to halt deforestation by 2030, the 2025 Forest Declaration Assessment reveals a troubling paradox: while the rate of deforestation has slowed in some regions, global forest loss still exceeds restoration gains. The report finds that 6.1 million hectares of forest were destroyed in 2024, largely in Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bolivia. This loss translates to 2.4 gigatons of CO₂ emissions, undermining climate goals, and biodiversity efforts.
The assessment highlights that although over 1 billion hectares are under commitments for restoration, only 15% of that area has seen active progress. Tropical forests continue to face illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and mining pressures. The report calls for urgent financial alignment, pointing out that just $2.2 billion annually goes toward halting deforestation—far below the $460 billion per year needed. Experts warn that unless nations shift from promises to measurable action, the 2030 deforestation-free target will remain out of reach. More