ADVERTISEMENTThe world witnessed the highest-ever loss of forest in 2024, driven primarily by an alarming increase in wildfires.
According to new data from the University of Maryland’s GLAD Lab, available on the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Global Forest Watch platform, the loss of tropical primary forests alone reached 6.7 million hectares last year – double the amount in 2023 and an area roughly the size of Panama. This equates to the loss of about 18 football pitches every 18 minutes.
For the first time, fires, not agriculture, were identified as the main driver of this loss, responsible for nearly half of all destruction. They burned five times more tropical primary forest in 2024 than in 2023, with Latin America particularly affected.
These fires resulted in 4.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions – more than four times the emissions of all air travel in 2023.
Elizabeth Goldman, co-director of WRI’s Global Forest Watch, stated, “This level of forest loss is unprecedented. It’s a global warning sign – a call to action for every entity and individual concerned about the planet’s future. Our economies, communities, and health are all at stake without forests.”
Extreme weather exacerbated tropical forest fires in 2024
Although forest fires are natural in some ecosystems, most are human-caused in tropical areas. They are often ignited for agricultural purposes or to clear land for farming.
2024 was the hottest year on record, with extreme conditions, including severe widespread drought caused by climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. These circumstances made fires more intense and difficult to control.
While some forests can recover from such fires, the combination of land conversion and a changing climate hinders recovery and creates a feedback loop that increases the risk of future fires.
Countries most affected by forest loss in 2024
Brazil, set to host the COP30 climate conference this year, recorded the largest loss of tropical forest in 2024, according to the data. This amount represented 42 per cent of the global total. The most significant factor was a record drought, responsible for 66% of this loss.
Fires in Brazil were exacerbated by the worst drought on record. Other causes like soy and cattle farming increased by 13 per cent, although this remains lower than the peaks in the early 2000s.
Mariana Oliveira, director of the forests and land use programme at WRI Brasil, stated, “Though Brazil has shown improvement, the threat to forests persists. Without ongoing investment in community fire prevention, stronger enforcement at the state level, and a focus on sustainable land use, the progress made could be reversed. As Brazil prepares to host COP30, it’s a key opportunity to prioritize forest protection globally.”
Bolivia experienced a 200 per cent increase in forest loss to 1.5 million hectares in 2024, placing it second behind Brazil for the first time. Fires have had profound impacts, not just on the land but for those who depend on it. Stasiek Czaplicki Cabezas, a Bolivian researcher and data journalist, noted that the damage could take centuries to reverse.
Despite falling in the rankings, DRC had the highest recorded loss of primary forest, increasing by 150 per cent compared to 2023. Fires, exacerbated by unusually hot and dry conditions, were responsible for 45 per cent of the damage. Like the Amazon, the Congo basin is a critical carbon sink, but the increasing frequency of fires and forest loss threatens its vitality.
Colombia saw a near 50 per cent increase in primary forest loss, but fires were not the primary cause. Instability from failed peace talks led to increased activities such as mining and coca production.
Wildfires contributed to forest loss beyond the tropics
The problem of forest loss extended well beyond the tropics in 2024, with a 5 per cent global increase in tree cover loss compared to 2023 – an additional 30 million hectares. This is an area roughly equivalent to the size of Italy. Intense fire seasons in Russia and Canada contributed to this increase. These fires, while natural, have become more intense and prolonged, impacting the time required for forest recovery.
This data should ‘jolt’ us into action
The report outlined successes in some countries, with Indonesia reducing primary forest loss by 11% and Malaysia seeing a decline by 13%. Indonesia’s efforts under former President Widodo to restore land and curb fires helped keep fire rates low despite widespread droughts. Malaysia dropped out of the top 10 for tropical primary forest loss for the first time.
Leaders from over 140 countries signed the Glasgow Leaders Declaration in 2021, promising to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. To meet this commitment, deforestation needs to be reduced by 20% annually starting immediately. However, the majority of countries with large areas of primary forests have not met this commitment. Increased fire prevention, initiatives for deforestation-free supply chains, enforcement of trade laws, and increased funding for forest protection are urgently needed. Indigenous-led initiatives, like Bolivia’s Charagua Lyambae protected area, have been exemplary in preventing fires.
Kelly Levin, chief scientist for data and systems change at the Bezos Earth Fund, stated, “While countries have repeatedly pledged to halt deforestation and forest degradation, the data shows a gap between promises and progress, alongside the growing impacts of a warming world. This should wake us from complacency.”
