Almost 90% of the deforestation recorded in the Brazilian Amazon Forest in 2025 occurred without legal authorization, posing significant risks for international companies committed to deforestation-free supply chains. The conclusion comes from an assessment carried out by Instituto Centro de Vida (ICV), which classifies deforestation and distinguishes between vegetation clearance with and without government authorization.
At the end of October, the Brazilian government released the official annual deforestation data for the Amazon and Cerrado biomes, covering the period from August 2024 to July 2025. The Amazon — the largest tropical forest in the world and vital for global climate regulation — recorded 5,796 km² of deforestation, representing an 11% reduction compared to the previous period and the lowest rate in 11 years. In the Cerrado — Brazil’s savanna, rich in socio-biodiversity — the estimated rate was 7,235 km², showing an 11.5% decrease compared to the previous year.
Despite the positive trend of declining overall rates, the analysis reveals that a large portion of the deforestation recorded in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado remains unauthorized.
In the Amazon, 88.6% of the deforestation recorded during the period was not authorized. In the Cerrado, this rate was 42.6%.
The data disclosed consider official deforestation information produced by the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) and vegetation clearance authorization data from federal and state agencies.
The study introduces data that can help improve measures to combat and control deforestation. Deforestation is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil, contributing to the worsening of climate change.
According to Ana Paula Valdiones, coordinator of ICV’s Conservation and Climate Program, this data is essential for rural landholders to demonstrate compliance with Brazil’s environmental legislation.
This data is also crucial for the international community and for companies’ due diligence processes aimed at ensuring their products are not linked to non-compliance with Brazilian environmental law. The distinction between authorized and unauthorized deforestation is key to meeting the growing regulatory requirements, such as the European legislation against products associated with deforestation.
Deforestation remains one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil, accelerating global climate change. The ability to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized deforestation enables more effective planning of control and enforcement policies, as well as incentives for sustainable activities. This is a crucial step for Brazil to achieve its commitment to zero deforestation by 2030.
Another trend to monitor: authorized deforestation on the rise
Despite the good news regarding deforestation reductions in both biomes, authorized deforestation is slightly on the rise, with a 9% increase in the Amazon and 5% in the Cerrado. While unauthorized deforestation can be curbed by law enforcement, authorized deforestation presents a new challenge for Brazil.
These numbers show that recent signals from European and Chinese markets, aiming to obtain deforestation-free commodities and prevent forest degradation, are not having a significant effect on the ground. This underscores the magnitude of the challenges Brazil will face to guarantee a zero deforestation by 2030.
Press Conference
The Instituto Centro de Vida invites journalists and press community for the launching of the new study on unauthorized and authorized deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado.
ICV’s executive director, Alice Thuault, will be present and available for interviews.
When? November 10th from 2pm to 3:30pm
Where? Casa Ninja Amazônia, Travessa Rui Barbosa, 555 – Reduto, Belém -PA
Please register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxpDYKHDL6Qvgu9cQZBkuUX5d5vJADUVUctYP4M-mLQ5ruNQ/viewform
Contact for additional information: [email protected] | +55 65 981366873
Image: Reproduction/Agência Brasil
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