Brazil has achieved its steepest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in more than a decade, driven by a dramatic fall in deforestation across the Amazon and Cerrado regions, according to new data released by the Observatório do Clima.

The country’s gross emissions declined 16.7% in 2024, falling from 2.576 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent in 2023 to 2.145 billion tons — the largest annual drop since 2009. Net emissions, which factor in carbon absorption by forests, decreased even further, plunging 22%, marking the second-largest annual decline on record, the SEEG emissions report revealed.

Environmental experts credit the progress largely to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s renewed crackdown on illegal deforestation, following four years of weakened environmental enforcement and soaring land-clearing rates between 2019 and 2022.

Land-use change emissions — mostly linked to deforestation — fell by 32.5%, the biggest reduction ever recorded in the category. Other sectors, including energy, waste and industry, either stagnated or saw modest increases, highlighting that forest conservation remains the primary driver of Brazil’s emissions progress.

Despite the significant gains, Brazil is still projected to fall short of its next milestone under the Paris Agreement. SEEG estimates place the country at 1.44 billion tons of net emissions by the end of 2024, around 9% above its 2025 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of 1.32 billion tons.

Climate analysts say the data underscores the importance of sustained environmental policy and enforcement. While Brazil has taken a major step forward, they warn that continued vigilance and broader progress across all sectors will be essential for the country to meet its long-term climate commitments.