Amazon deforestation between August 2008 and July 2009, measured by a system of satellite monitoring, totalled approximately 7,000 sq km – a 45% drop in comparison with the 13,000 sq km recorded over the previous twelve months, and the lowest annual total since satellite monitoring began 21 years ago.

Environment minister Carlos Minc acknowledged that overall deforestation is still considerable but said the latest figures were 'historic'. He said the achievement was due largely to the federal authorities' success in combating illegal logging.

Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, Brazil recently announced the ambitious target of voluntarily reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by between 36% and 39% by 2020 (in comparison with projected emissions in 2020 if no action were taken). The emissions-reduction plan includes an 80% reduction in deforestation (in comparison with the average figure between 1996 and 2005) by 2020, which would mean an annual total of around 4,000 sq km.

Source: Embassy of Brazil in London