Brazil in 2024 recorded its biggest annual drop in greenhouse gas emissions since 2009, thanks mainly to a slowdown in deforestation, according to data released
Gross emissions in Latin America's largest country fell 16.7 percent last year compared to 2023, according to calculations by the Brazilian NGO network Climate Observatory.
These numbers are considered good news for the government of center-left President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who will host from November 10 the UN climate conference, COP30, in the Amazonian city of Belem.
Deforestation of the world's largest rainforest has been steadily declining since Lula returned to power for a third term in 2023, following his first two-term presidency (2003-2010).
It fell by 11% in the reporting period from August 2024 to July 2025, according to official figures released last week.
Faced with fierce criticism and backlash from environmentalists, President Lula argues that oil revenues will finance the energy transition.
