# Amazon deforestation hits record low before Brazil's pivotal vote

> Forest clearance in the Brazilian Amazon fell 41.8% to its lowest level since 1988, but the election run-off on October 25 could reverse the gains.
- Title: Amazon deforestation hits record low before Brazil's pivotal…
- Summary: Forest clearance in the Brazilian Amazon fell 41.8% to its lowest level since 1988, but the election run-off on October 25 could reverse the gains. Brazilian…
- Keywords: amazon rainforest, deforestation, brazil, luiz inácio lula da silva, flávio bolsonaro, presidential election, environmental policy, climate, news, world, Amazon, hits
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/16/brazil-amazon-deforestation-lowest-on-record-election
- Published: 2026-10-16T19:37:53+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: amazon rainforest, deforestation, brazil, luiz inácio lula da silva, flávio bolsonaro, presidential election, environmental policy, climate, news, world
## Amazon deforestation hits record low
Forest clearance in the Brazilian Amazon fell to three thousand three hundred thirty five square kilometres, the lowest level since measurements began in nineteen eighty eight.
## Forty one point eight percent drop in one year
The Prodes satellite data showed deforestation fell by forty one point eight percent over the past year, beating the previous record low by one thousand two hundred thirty six square kilometres.
## Lula's administration slowed destruction
Since twenty twenty two, the year before Lula took office, deforestation has slowed by seventy one point two percent through stronger enforcement and state investment in environmental agencies.
## Worst deforestation by state
Pará registered thirty three point nine percent of all Amazon deforestation, Mato Grosso twenty five point five percent, and Amazonas fifteen point seven percent, though all fell over forty five percent.
## Cerrado savannah also recovering
The neighbouring Cerrado biome registered its lowest annual deforestation since two thousand one at five thousand five hundred sixteen square kilometres, down forty eight point four percent over four years.
## Bolsonaro's term reversed progress
During Jair Bolsonaro's twenty nineteen to twenty twenty three term, Amazon deforestation increased fifty nine point five percent through cuts to forest protection and reduced enforcement of environmental crimes.
## Election run-off on October twenty fifth
Lula faces Flávio Bolsonaro, son of the former president, in a run-off where the two candidates have sharply different visions for the rainforest and relations with the US under Donald Trump.
## Everything depends on the result
Marcio Astrini of the Climate Observatory said the country will decide whether to move toward the end of deforestation or toward the end of the forest itself.

> The country will decide whether we move toward the end of deforestation or toward the end of the forest.
## Key takeaway

Brazilian Amazon deforestation fell to its lowest level since records began in 1988, but a presidential run-off on October 25 between candidates with opposing environmental visions threatens to reverse the progress.