AGP Executive Report

Amazon Deforestation: Forest loss fell 41.8% to 3,335 square kilometres in the year to July, its lowest level since 1988. Brazil credits renewed enforcement and satellite monitoring, though illegal clearing remains a challenge. Fire Risk: The Amazon is also facing rising wildfire threats as El Niño brings dangerous drought conditions, with NASA warning that fires could spread across Brazil and beyond. Indigenous Rights: Amazon leaders from Brazil and neighbouring countries are taking calls for action against illegal mining, logging and drug trafficking to a UN conference in Vienna, urging governments to target criminal networks and strengthen Indigenous land protections. Biodiversity: A study of Brazilian fungi has uncovered multiple previously hidden species, highlighting how much tropical biodiversity may remain undocumented.

Amazon Fires: NASA satellite monitoring shows fires and smoke surging across parts of the Amazon as El Niño-linked drought dries the forest, threatening communities and ecosystems. Forest Loss: Brazil reports Amazon deforestation fell 42% to its lowest level since 1988, but the gains remain vulnerable as the country heads into a pivotal election. Indigenous Rights: Indigenous organizations are opposing a government plan to auction new Amazon oil blocks in December, warning against expanding fossil-fuel activity in the region. Fire Crackdown: Brazil has launched a crackdown on a suspected network behind Amazon arson, as authorities investigate whether recent fires were deliberately set.

Amazon Forests: Deforestation fell 42% to 3,335 sq km in the year through July, the lowest since monitoring began in 1988. The record comes days before Brazil’s presidential runoff, with the rainforest’s future at stake. Fire Risk: Despite the drop in forest loss, fires in Amazonas have doubled this year, and El Niño-driven drought could worsen the threat. Extreme Weather: El Niño-linked floods across South America have forced evacuations; swollen Paraná, Uruguay and Iguaçu rivers rise in Brazil before flowing south. Oil and Mangroves: Indigenous groups oppose a planned Amazon oil auction, while women shellfish gatherers are fighting to keep access to Brazil’s mangroves.

Amazon Protection: Brazil recorded its lowest Amazon deforestation since monitoring began in 1988: 3,335 sq km cleared in the year to July, down 42%. Cerrado clearing also hit a record low. The gains come as Lula faces Flávio Bolsonaro in an Oct. 25 runoff, with the forest’s future at stake. Fire Risk: El Niño-driven drought is fueling fires across the Amazon. Smoke pushed Manaus air pollution to dangerous levels, closing schools and outdoor activities; authorities are investigating suspected arson. Floods and Water Stress: El Niño rains have swollen rivers rising in Brazil, forcing evacuations in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Meanwhile, Amazon farming families are seeking wells and cisterns as drought and heat make water access harder.

Forest Gains: Amazon deforestation fell 42% to 3,335 sq km in the year to July, the lowest since records began in 1988. Cerrado clearing also hit a record low, down 24%. The gains follow stronger enforcement, but their future is a key issue ahead of Brazil’s October 25 runoff. Fire Watch: Amazon fire counts have surged since the first-round vote, and officials are investigating whether some blazes were deliberately set. A strengthening El Niño could worsen drought and fire risk. Pressure on the Amazon: Indigenous organizations oppose a planned oil auction in the basin. MapBiomas also counted 618,000 km of official and unofficial roads, with nearly 42,000 km inside protected areas—routes that can open forests to agriculture and development.

Mining Risks: Bank financing for mining across tropical forest regions rose 55% to $36.7 billion in 2025, while a new study warns climate change could increase toxic mine waste reaching coastal waters. In Rio de Janeiro state, Cedro Participações has secured an environmental licence for a new iron-ore terminal at Itaguaí, initially approved to handle up to 15 million tonnes a year. Amazon Fires: Fires are surging in Brazil’s Amazon amid El Niño and climate change, and authorities are investigating suspected arson networks. Extreme Rain: Near-record flows at Iguazu Falls have repeatedly shut walkways, including access to the Devil’s Throat, as heavy rain raises accident risks. Forest Outlook: Global forest loss fell 15% in 2025, and Latin American losses dropped 28%; Brazil recorded its lowest Amazon deforestation in a decade, but researchers warn gains could be reversed if protections weaken. Restoration: Brazil has planted 840,000 trees across 607 hectares of Atlantic Forest, helping reconnect wildlife habitat.

Amazon Fires: Fires in Amazonas surged 253% in the first two weeks of October, with 1,679 recorded and 36 municipalities declaring emergencies over smoke and health risks. Schools closed in Manaus, as officials investigated suspected deliberate burning in protected forests. Climate Justice: Greenpeace Brazil’s Corre de Quebrada project brings rap and poetry events into climate advocacy, spotlighting how extreme weather hits under-resourced communities hardest. E-waste: Brazil’s 6,868 participating post offices now accept small electronics for free recycling. The country generates 2.4 million tonnes of e-waste a year, but collects only 3%. Forest Restoration: A 20-year Atlantic Forest effort has planted 840,000 trees across 607 hectares, reconnecting habitat and helping wildlife return to restored wetlands. Climate Accountability: Brazilian prosecutors are suing Shell for $108 million over deadly 2024 floods, adding to legal pressure on fossil-fuel companies over climate-related disasters.

Election and Indigenous Rights: Amazonian leaders fear a Flávio Bolsonaro presidency could revive policies linked to deforestation and weakened Indigenous protections. Lula and Bolsonaro both back expanding solar power, but differ on how to lower energy costs. Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, with losses down 33% across Latin America. Brazil’s progress is tied to policy and enforcement, but researchers warn it could quickly reverse. Amazon Fires: Fires have surged in Amazonas this year, with officials investigating suspected criminal activity; the count remains below historical levels. Climate Accountability: Brazilian prosecutors and an environmental group are seeking $108 million from Shell over the deadly 2024 floods, which killed nearly 200 people and displaced half a million.

Rio’s Environmental Reset: Rio de Janeiro has replaced the state environmental agency’s leadership with career civil servants, aiming to restore technical decision-making amid allegations of corruption and a weakened licensing system. Amazon Fires: Amazonas recorded 1,679 fires in the first two weeks of October, up 253% from a year earlier. Smoke has worsened air quality, closed schools in Manaus and prompted emergencies in 36 municipalities; officials suspect some blazes were deliberately set. Fragile Forest Gains: Global forest loss fell 15% in 2025, and Latin America’s dropped 33%, with Brazil’s enforcement efforts credited for progress. Researchers warn gains could be reversed by political shifts and a strengthening El Niño. Threats to Wildlife: A review finds Amazon birds are the main targets of trafficking, with neighboring countries serving as export routes. Reef Invasion: Fishers have caught at least 440 invasive lionfish off Porto Seguro; the predator has reached Abrolhos, threatening native fish and the region’s rich coral ecosystem.

Amazon Fires: Human activity is driving a new wave of fires in Amazonas, with Brazil’s environment minister pointing to possible criminal activity. Forest Protection: Global forest loss fell 15% in 2025, and tropical Latin America’s deforestation dropped 33%, aided by Brazil’s enforcement efforts. But the world remains far off track for its 2030 target, while loss surged in the Congo Basin. Environmental Payments: Brazil has set rules for paying landholders and others for environmental services, tying compensation to services that are delivered and monitored. Election Stakes: The Oct. 25 presidential runoff could shape whether Brazil sustains its forest gains; Indigenous land rights are also at stake. Cerrado: The biome has lost 13.9 million hectares of riverbank vegetation, raising concerns for rivers and habitats. Climate Risks: A strengthening El Niño is adding to flood and health concerns, with more than 30 million Brazilian children exposed to climate risks.

Amazon Fires: Amazonas recorded 540 fire hotspots in two days, more than half its total for all of October 2025. Officials suspect deliberate burning; smoke has triggered health alerts in Manaus and emergency measures in 36 municipalities. Election and Forests: Seven of Brazil’s nine Amazon states are set to be led by politicians aligned with Flávio Bolsonaro, as the Oct. 25 presidential runoff puts Indigenous land rights and environmental policy in focus. Floods and Climate: El Niño-driven rains sent Iguazu River flows above 12,000 cubic metres per second, closing visitor areas at the Brazil-Argentina falls. Brazil’s prosecutors are also suing Shell for $108 million over deadly 2024 floods. Cerrado and Wildlife: The Cerrado has lost 13.9 million hectares of riverbank vegetation, while new research backed by a Brazilian pet-food company will study the vulnerable maned wolf’s movements and habitat needs. Children at Risk: More than 30 million Brazilian children face climate-related threats to health and well-being.

Indigenous Land Rights: Brazil’s Oct. 25 presidential runoff could shape whether Indigenous territories are demarcated and protected from mining and deforestation, with Flávio Bolsonaro’s party holding the largest blocs in Congress. Cerrado: The biome has lost 13.9 million hectares of riverbank vegetation, intensifying concern for rivers and wildlife. Climate and Health: El Niño-related risks threaten more than 30 million Brazilian children, while research in Salvador finds chikungunya risk clustered around unpaved yards, garbage and other mosquito-breeding conditions. Amazon Fires: Wildfires in Amazonas have worsened air quality in Manaus, forcing schools to close. Flood Accountability: Federal prosecutors are seeking $108 million from Shell over deadly 2024 floods, bringing corporate responsibility for disaster impacts into focus.

Urban Health: A fine-scale study in Salvador found chikungunya risk clustered around unpaved yards, garbage piles and shaded areas where mosquitoes breed, pointing to the role of local living conditions in exposure. Community Solutions: Rio’s Sustainable Favela Festival will showcase 180 social and environmental initiatives from 150 communities on Oct. 17. Climate Risks: More than 30 million Brazilian children face health and wellbeing risks from El Niño, according to a new report. Corporate Accountability: Federal prosecutors are seeking $108 million from Shell over deadly 2024 floods. Nature Under Pressure: The Cerrado has lost 13.9 million hectares of riverbank vegetation, while wildfires in Amazonas state have worsened air quality in Manaus.**

Extreme Weather: Iguazu Falls’ Brazilian walkway closed after river flows surged to 8.8 million litres per second—six times the historical average—following heavy rain. Amazon Crime: An Interpol-led regional sweep resulted in 233 arrests and linked 161 companies to investigations into Amazon clearing; authorities recorded about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Flood Accountability: Brazilian prosecutors are seeking $108 million from Shell over deadly 2024 floods. Climate and Children: UNICEF warns that more than 30 million Brazilian children face at least two climate risks as El Niño threatens to intensify heat, drought and flooding. Forest Loss and Smoke: Brazil’s Cerrado has lost 13.9 million hectares of riverbank vegetation, while wildfires in Amazonas worsened air quality in Manaus and smoke forced school closures.

Climate Accountability: Brazilian prosecutors are seeking $108 million from Shell over the deadly 2024 floods in Rio Grande do Sul, arguing the company’s emissions contributed to the disaster. They call it the first case in which a national prosecutor has sued an oil major over a climate disaster. Amazon Fires: Wildfires in Amazonas state worsened air quality in Manaus, forcing schools to close. Nature Loss: The Cerrado has lost 13.9 million hectares of riverbank vegetation, while ranchers blocked officials trying to demarcate Indigenous land in the Amazon. Climate Finance: The New Development Bank says it has approved R$23.95 billion in financing for Brazil since 2023, including support for sustainable infrastructure and climate initiatives. Political Stakes: Environmental groups warn that Brazil’s new Congress could put environmental protections at risk.

Climate Risks: More than 30 million Brazilian children face at least two climate hazards, UNICEF warns; past floods and droughts have already disrupted schooling for over 1.1 million. Cerrado Loss: The biome lost 13.9 million hectares of native vegetation along waterways in four decades, threatening water quality and resilience to droughts and floods. Amazon and Indigenous Lands: Marina Silva warns a Flávio Bolsonaro presidency could accelerate environmental rollbacks. In Pará, a ranchers’ roadblock is preventing officials from marking Juruna Indigenous land boundaries, stalling a process tied to the Belo Monte dam. Climate Accountability: Brazilian prosecutors are seeking $108 million from Shell over deadly 2024 floods. Meanwhile, wildfires in Amazonas have worsened air quality in Manaus and forced school closures.