Global Deforestation Declines 15% in 2025, but Congo Basin Losses Accelerate
In 2025, global forest loss decreased by 15 percent, resulting in the permanent loss of seven million hectares—an area similar in size to the Republic of Ireland, as reported in the annual Forest Declaration Assessment published on Wednesday. This report, created by a coalition of NGOs and research organizations, cautions that the reduction is insufficient to fulfill the commitment to halt deforestation by 2030. Erin Matson, co-author and lead consultant at Climate Focus, remarked during a media briefing that while the 2025 statistic is "encouraging," it remains an exception rather than indicative of a new trend. Deteriorating conditions in Central Africa and a powerful El Nino are expected to hinder ongoing improvements, particularly in the Congo Basin, which has seen increased losses.
Key facts
- Global deforestation fell 15 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year.
- Seven million hectares of forest were permanently destroyed in 2025, roughly the size of the Republic of Ireland.
- The annual Forest Declaration Assessment was released on Wednesday.
- The report was drafted by a coalition of research groups and non-governmental organisations.
- The slowdown is not enough to meet a pledge to end deforestation by 2030.
- Erin Matson is the study's co-author and lead consultant at Climate Focus.
- Matson called the 2025 figure 'encouraging but so far it's the exception, not a new trajectory'.
- An exceptionally strong El Nino weather pattern is intensifying and threatens further progress.
- Deteriorating conditions in Central Africa, particularly the Congo Basin, saw surging losses.
Entities
Artists
- Erin Matson
Institutions
- Climate Focus
- Forest Declaration Assessment
Locations
- Republic of Ireland
- Central Africa
- Congo Basin