Burning future:Global tropical forest loss hits record high, crisis point

By Abdullahi Lukman.

Global forest loss reached unprecedented high in 2024 with Brazil leading five other countries that suffered the greatest loss as it was responsible for 42% of the global impact.

For the first time fires emerged as the primary cause of tropical deforestation accounting for nearly 50% of the 2024 forest loss, surpassing agriculture and releasing 4.1 gigatons of CO₂, over four times the emissions from global air travel in 2023.

The surge in fire-driven loss is considered a dangerous new trend as fires averaged just 20% of tropical forest destruction in 2023.

In 2024, extreme heat, El Niño conditions, and human activities combined to intensify and spread fires in regions unaccustomed to such events.

NatureNews reports that these statistics were contained in new data from the University of Maryland’s GLAD Laboratory published via the Global Forest Watch.

The report says, despite global commitments to halt deforestation by 2030, 17 of the 20 countries with the most tropical forest cover saw higher loss rates in 2024 than when the Glasgow Leaders Declaration was signed in 2021.

Brazil that is billed to host the forthcoming UN Conference of Parties (COP30) on climate change in November is home to the world’s largest tropical forests.

It was trailed by Bolivia, which experienced a 200% increase in its forest loss over the previous year, while Colombia placed third.

According to the report, two African countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (Congo Brazavaille), also saw sharp rises, driven by fires, land clearing, and socio-political instability.

The global forest watch also notes that tropical forest loss in 2024 totalled 6.7 million hectares, nearly twice the 2023 figures, which is also equivalent to 18 soccer fields of loss per second.

It says there were, however, signs of progress in Southeast Asia. Indonesia reduced forest loss by 11%, while Malaysia saw a 13% decline, both aided by fire prevention efforts and restoration initiatives.

Scientists and environmental stakeholders have cautioned that without urgent, coordinated action – including stronger fire prevention, sustainable land use policies, and increased funding, climate-driven forest loss will continue to escalate.

Forestry experts emphasise the need for global support, especially for Indigenous-led conservation efforts, to break the feedback loop between deforestation and climate change.

Meanwhile, forest stakeholders in Nigeria are set to host a national summit to harness the $2 billion forest economy in the West African country.

Slated to be held on July 21st–22nd, 2025, the summit is endorsed by the Presidency through the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI).

The two-day summit, initiated by WEN Synergies, has NatureNews, Africa’s foremost environmental newspaper, as a major partner.