Global Forest Loss Declines Amid Policy Shifts and EU Deforestation Law Changes

Forest Loss Drops by One-Third

The latest Global Forest Review from the World Resources Institute reveals that tropical primary forest loss—forests that remain largely untouched by human activity—fell by more than a third between 2024 and 2025. Despite this encouraging dip, the report stresses that current clearing rates are still 46% higher than they were a decade ago. Much of the improvement stems from a sharp reduction in extreme wildfires, which had driven record losses the previous year.

Drivers of the Decline

Brazil, which recorded the largest total area of deforestation, still managed a 42% reduction in forest loss compared to 2024. According to Agência Brasil, this was achieved through a broad government task force that included civil society, academics, local communities, and private-sector partners. In other countries, progress was linked to improved governance, stronger recognition of Indigenous land rights, and corporate pledges to eliminate deforestation from supply chains.

Regional Progress and Persistent Challenges

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Colombia all saw notable declines, with experts attributing the trend to better enforcement and community-based conservation. However, BusinessGreen warns that deforestation remains far above the level needed to meet international goals of halting forest loss by 2030. Fires continue to pose a growing threat, and Reuters highlights that agricultural expansion remains the biggest driver of deforestation globally.

EU Deforestation Regulation Faces Pressure

The European Commission, under industry pressure, has decided to exclude leather imports from its landmark anti-deforestation law. Reuters reports that leather industry groups argued the product is a low-value by-product of the meat industry and does not incentivise the cattle farming that drives deforestation. Imported beef remains covered by the regulation.

UK Lawmakers Call for Long-Overdue Rules

A group of UK parliament members issued an open letter demanding “long-overdue regulations to end UK imports linked to illegal deforestation.” Although the forest-risk regulation was introduced in the 2021 Environment Act, implementation has been repeatedly delayed over the past four years, as reported by Mongabay last year.

EU-Mercosur Deal Moves Forward

After 25 years of negotiations, the trade agreement between the European Union and the four South American Mercosur countries provisionally came into force on 1 May. Euractiv notes that the application of the deal is provisional and still requires full ratification. Environmental groups remain concerned about its potential impact on deforestation in the region.