Brazil records biggest annual fall in emissions in 15 years, notably thanks to fight against deforestation

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva observes how the robot that harvests acai berries works during a visit to Ilha Grande Agroextractive Settlement near Belem, Brazil, on November 3, 2025. TARSO SARRAF / AFP

Brazil recorded its biggest annual fall in greenhouse gas emissions last year since 2009, according to statistics released Monday, providing a boost for left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as he prepares to host UN climate talks. The gross emissions of Latin America's biggest country fell by 16.7% year-on-year, according to Brazil's Climate Observatory, a network of environmental NGOs.

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The reduction in emissions were attributed to the success of Lula's government in fighting deforestation. "The new data shows the impact of the federal government retaking control over deforestation after a deliberate lack of control between 2019 and 2022," the observatory said in a statement.