Global efforts to halt deforestation are falling dramatically short, with world leaders missing their 2030 zero deforestation goal by 63%, according to the latest Forest Declaration Assessment.
The report warns that 8.1 million hectares of forest were lost in 2024 — an area half the size of England — putting the planet far off course just five years before the target.
“Every year, the gap between commitments and reality grows wider, with devastating impacts on people, the climate and our economies,” said Erin Matson, a lead author of the assessment.
“Forests are non-negotiable infrastructure for a livable planet. Continued failure to protect them puts our collective prosperity at risk.”
The study found that fires, mostly intentionally set to clear land, erased 6.73 million hectares of tropical forest last year, releasing 3.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases — nearly 150% of the annual emissions from the US energy sector.
Degradation, including logging and road construction, damaged a further 8.8 million hectares.
“Degradation — including the devastating impacts of forest fires — is pushing forests closer to dangerous tipping points,” said Ivan Palmegiani of Climate Focus.
“Research shows that degraded forests are more likely to be deforested, providing a hint of the losses to come.”
Despite small gains in reforestation, with 10.6 million hectares under restoration, progress remains minimal compared to global targets.
The report highlights an urgent need to reform financial systems that continue to fund deforestation-driving industries such as agriculture and logging.
“Efforts to protect forests don’t stand a chance as long as our economic system keeps rewarding quick profits from forest destruction,” said Franziska Haupt, partner at Climate Focus.
There is, however, optimism ahead of COP30 in Brazil, where new funding mechanisms like the proposed Tropical Forest Forever Facility could provide long-term investment for forest protection.
“The overall numbers are dismal, but the future of forests doesn’t have to be,” said Matson. “If COP30 delivers on its promise, we could be reporting a very different story next year.”
World far off track on zero deforestation goal as forest loss accelerates appeared first on Energy Live News.