Brazil: environment

How much of the Amazon is being deforested?

Deforestation in Brazil's Legal Amazon was 5,731 km² between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025, 12.07% less than the year before (6,518 km²), according to INPE's PRODES consolidated rate published on 18 August 2026.

PRODES counts the complete removal of primary forest by clear-cutting, or the final stage of degradation where the canopy is lost, using satellite images. Its year runs from August to July. INPE reported falls in eight of the nine Legal Amazon states; Mato Grosso was the exception, with a rise of 26.73%.

Official sources: INPE: PRODES 2025 Amazon deforestation rate

Is deforestation falling in the Amazon and Cerrado?

INPE's DETER system recorded 2,874.38 km² under deforestation alerts in the Amazon between August 2025 and July 2026, 36% less than the year before and the lowest in the series, according to INPE's release of 7 August 2026. In the Cerrado, alerts covered 5,119.46 km², 7.8% less.

DETER is a rapid alert system that supports enforcement, so its totals are not the official deforestation rate. INPE publishes the official annual rate through PRODES, which uses more detailed imagery and is released later. INPE said the Amazon figure was 55.6% below the average of the previous ten years.

Official sources: INPE: DETER results for August 2025 to July 2026

How much of Brazil's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources made up 50.0% of Brazil's domestic energy supply in 2024, according to IBGE's Sustainable Development Goals indicator 7.2.1 (SIDRA table 6592), which uses the National Energy Balance.

This share covers all energy, including transport fuels and industry, not only electricity. It includes sources such as hydropower, sugarcane products, wind and solar. The share of renewables in electricity alone is a separate measure. The Energy Research Company (EPE) publishes the full National Energy Balance each year.

Official sources: IBGE SIDRA: SDG 7.2.1 renewable share of energy supply (table 6592)

How much greenhouse gas does Brazil emit?

Brazil emitted 1,299 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, excluding land use, land-use change and forestry, according to World Bank data from the EDGAR database. Carbon dioxide alone was 491 million tonnes (World Bank).

The total leaves out emissions from deforestation and land-use change, which are a large source in Brazil, as well as removals by forests. Brazil's official greenhouse gas inventory, which includes land use, is prepared by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for its reports to the UN climate convention.

Official sources: World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF, Brazil · World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, Brazil

How polluted is the air in Brazil?

The average Brazilian was exposed to 13.4 micrograms per cubic metre of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in 2023, according to World Bank data. The figure was 14.9 in 2022.

This is a population-weighted national estimate modelled from satellite data and ground monitors, for comparing countries. Local levels vary widely between cities and seasons, and a national average does not show peaks. IBGE also publishes annual PM2.5 and PM10 averages for municipalities with monitoring stations under its Sustainable Development Goals indicators.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Brazil

What are Brazil's CO2 emissions per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Brazil was 2.3 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.0 tonnes (2005) to 2.7 tonnes (2014). Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.3 tonnes; Brazil is 17th highest of 33. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 97th highest.

What are Brazil's total greenhouse gas emissions?

1,299 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Worldwide: 6th of 186.

What share of Brazil's energy comes from renewables?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Brazil was 46.5% in 2021. The peak was 50.0% in 2020 and the low 41.7% in 2014. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 18.9%, and Brazil placed 6th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 53rd of 191.

What is Brazil's forest cover?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Brazil was 58.5% in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 50.6%, and Brazil placed 7th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 31st of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Brazil?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Brazil was 13.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 13.2 micrograms per cubic metre (2014) to 25.9 micrograms per cubic metre (2005). Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Brazil is 23rd highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 132nd of 192.

How much of Brazil is in national parks and reserves?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Brazil was 30.6%, according to the UN Environment Programme. No year since 2013 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 20.1%; Brazil is 6th highest of 33. Worldwide: 32nd of 192.

How much of Brazil's fresh water is used?

In 2022, water stress in Brazil was 1.5%, according to the FAO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.5% (2018) to 3.5% (2010). It is 29th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 7.7%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 154th highest.