Official data reveals that deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has reached its greatest level in over 15 years.
Deforestation grew by 22% in a year, according to a report by Brazil’s space research agency (Inpe).
During the COP26 climate summit, Brazil was one of several countries that pledged to cease and reverse deforestation by 2030.
The Amazon is home to around three million plant and animal species, as well as one million indigenous people.
It serves as a critical carbon sink, slowing the rate of global warming.
According to the most recent data, 13,235 square kilometers (5110 square miles) were lost between 2020 and 2021, the biggest amount since 2006.
The data offers a “challenge,” according to Environment Minister Joaquim Leite, who added, “We have to be more strong in respect to these offenses.”
He went on to say that the statistics “doesn’t fully reflect the circumstances in recent months.”
Under President Jair Bolsonaro, Amazon deforestation has escalated. who has promoted agriculture and mining in the Amazon jungle.
In the past, he has argued with Inpe over deforestation, accusing the agency of damaging Brazil’s image in 2019.
However, during the Glasgow climate summit in November, Brazil was one of a number of countries that signed a key agreement to cease and reverse the practice.
Public and private funding totaled over £14 billion ($19.2 billion) in the promise. Some of it will go to poor nations to help with land restoration, wildfire suppression, and indigenous community assistance.
Close ties between Amazon deforestation and worldwide supply networks have already been discovered.
A Greenpeace analysis found linkages between the region’s widespread deforestation and food sold in British stores and restaurants last year.
Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Nando’s, and McDonald’s were discovered to be selling meat from a UK supplier that had been fed soy produced on farms established in deforested regions, according to the inquiry.
