Forest Declaration Assessment 2025: Deforestation at 8.1 M ha
Why in the news
The yearly assessment showed the world far behind its pledges to end deforestation by 2030.
Findings
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| Degraded forest | 8.8 M ha |
| Primary forest lost | 6.7 M ha, mainly Latin America and Africa |
| Emissions | 3.1 Gt CO₂e, 150% of US energy sector |
| Forested Key Biodiversity Areas lost | 2.2 M ha |
Causes
- Farming expansion (pasture, soy, palm oil), mining, infrastructure, fires, weak governance and indirect consumption effects.
Restoration and gaps
- UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and Kunming-Montreal Framework aim at 30% degraded land restoration.
- India: Green India Mission, CAMPA, National Afforestation Programme.
- Gaps: under 10% of climate finance benefits forests; data gaps; limited Indigenous rights.
Way forward
- Legally binding targets with audits; redirect finance; recognise community rights; use FAO-FERM and Forest Declaration Dashboard.
Exam angle
- 8.1 M ha and 63% off-track; fKBAs; Amazon fires 791 Mt CO₂e.