Forest Declaration Assessment 2025

The world is falling far behind a global goal to reverse deforestation by 2030, with losses being largely driven by agricultural expansion and forest fires, according to the 2025 Forest Declaration Assessment.

Key Points:

• Report Released By: Forest Declaration Assessment, a global coalition of research organizations, NGOs, and advocacy groups, coordinated by Climate Focus.
• Findings (2025 Report):
  • The world permanently lost 8.1 million hectares (20 million acres) of forest in 2024, equivalent to the size of England.
  • The planet is 63% off track to meet the 2030 global goal to halt and reverse deforestation, as pledged by over 140 countries in the 2021 Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use.
• Major Causes of Forest Loss:
  • Fires: Accounted for 6.73 million hectares of forest loss in 2024.
    • The Amazon rainforest was particularly affected, emitting nearly 800 million metric tons of CO₂ from fires.
  • Permanent Agriculture: Responsible for 86% of global deforestation over the past decade.
  • Mining Activities: Gold and coal mining identified as emerging drivers of deforestation.
• Finance and Policy Insights:
  • International public finance for forests rose from $1.7 billion (2018–2020) to $5.7 billion (2022–2024).
  • However, this is only 1.4% of the $409 billion spent annually on agricultural subsidies, which remain a major driver of forest loss.
• Significance:
  • The findings underscore an urgent need for stronger policy action, reallocation of subsidies, and global accountability to achieve the 2030 deforestation reversal target.
  • Without substantial changes, the world risks missing critical climate and biodiversity goals tied to forest conservation.