Deforestation Crisis: The Amazon, Congo, and Southeast Asia at a Crossroads
Tropical forests in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asian archipelago collectively store more carbon than humans have emitted in the last 30 years. Yet deforestation continues at roughly 10 million hectares per year, driven by agricultural expansion, logging, mining, and infrastructure development.
The Amazon: Signs of a Turning Point
Brazil's Lula administration has made forest protection a centrepiece of climate policy, and 2026 data shows deforestation in the Legal Amazon has declined significantly from Bolsonaro-era peaks. But scientists warn the Amazon may be approaching a dieback tipping point where progressive deforestation and climate-driven droughts reduce rainfall in a self-reinforcing cycle.
The EU Deforestation Regulation: A Game-Changer
The EU Deforestation Regulation, in full implementation in 2026, prohibits the sale of commodities linked to deforestation — including beef, soy, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, and timber — in the EU market. Early data suggests it is already incentivising supply chain changes in Brazilian beef and Indonesian palm oil.
Tags: Deforestation | Amazon | Congo Forest | EUDR | Tropical Forests | Carbon Sinks
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