Environment

Report: Global Forest Loss Hit Record High in 2024

Published MAY 21 2025

Story

Above: Aerial view of a street mural made with ashes from forest fires and mud from floods in Brazil, on Oct. 23, 2024. Image credit: Carlos Fabal/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

According to a report issued on Wednesday, the world lost an unprecedented 6.7 million hectares of tropical primary forest in 2024, nearly double the amount from 2023. Fires became the leading cause of destruction for the first time in recorded history, burning five times more forest than the previous year.
EuroNews
Bloomberg.com
Axios
The report, released by Global Forest Watch, which is set to host the COP30 climate conference later this year, accounted for 42% of all tropical forest loss, losing 2.8 million hectares primarily due to fires fueled by the worst drought on record in the Amazon.
Independent
Reuters
Axios
Bolivia experienced a 200% surge in forest loss and surpassed the Democratic Republic of Congo for second place despite having less than half the forest area. The data show that fires and government-incentivized agricultural expansion were the primary drivers.
Climate Home News
Reuters
The destruction released 4.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions, more than four times the emissions from air travel in 2023, while tropical forests disappeared at a rate of 18 football fields per minute.
BBC News
GFR
Outside the tropics, boreal forests in Canada and Russia contributed to a 5% rise in global tree cover loss, with 30 million hectares lost worldwide, an area roughly the size of Italy.
Climate Home News
GFR
Meanwhile, Indonesia and Malaysia reduced their primary forest loss by 11% and 13%, respectively, reportedly due to fire prevention policies and increased corporate commitment.
Getaway Magazine
The Times of India

Sources Split

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The Spin

Climate-concerned narrative

The unprecedented forest loss highlights a catastrophic climate feedback loop that threatens to permanently transform critical ecosystems. Without immediate action to strengthen fire prevention, enforce deforestation laws, and support Indigenous land stewardship, these vital carbon sinks could reach a tipping point of no return, accelerate global warming, and make future fires even more devastating.

World Resources Institute

BBC News

Climate-skeptic narrative

The surge in forest loss reflects complex economic and social realities that cannot be addressed through environmental policies alone. Local communities depend on forests for survival, and developing nations require agricultural expansion for food security and economic growth. The solution lies in providing alternative economic opportunities and fair compensation for forest preservation.