New research reveals that an expanse of tropical forest equivalent to the size of Switzerland was lost in the past year, indicating a significant surge in tree losses. This alarming trend puts the political commitment made by world leaders at COP26 to halt deforestation far off course. The data shows that approximately 11 football pitches' worth of forest were lost every minute in 2022, with Brazil being the primary contributor to this destruction. However, there is a glimmer of hope as Indonesia demonstrates a notable decrease in forest loss, suggesting that it is possible to reverse this concerning trend.

A significant moment during the COP26 climate meeting in 2021 was the signing of the Glasgow Declaration on forests by over 100 world leaders. This declaration entailed a collective commitment to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030. Notably, leaders from countries representing approximately 85% of global forests participated in this agreement. Even former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who had previously eased environmental regulations to accommodate development in the Amazon rainforest, was among the signatories. The Glasgow pact emerged as a response to the failure of a previous 2014 agreement to effectively address the ongoing and relentless decline of global tree cover.

Despite the commitment made in the Glasgow Declaration on forests, a new analysis by Global Forest Watch indicates that forest loss is not being halted as promised. The loss of tropical primary forests, which play a vital role in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity, is a significant concern.

Rainforests in Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia are crucial for absorbing greenhouse gases, but the clearing and burning of these forests release stored carbon, contributing to global warming. These forests provide irreplaceable ecosystem services and support the livelihoods of millions of people. The analysis reveals a 10% increase in the loss of primary rainforest in 2022 compared to the previous year, releasing a carbon dioxide equivalent to India's annual fossil fuel emissions. The data underscores the inadequacy of current efforts and the need for more robust actions to address deforestation and protect these invaluable forest ecosystems.

Global deforestation is on an alarming upward trend, deviating significantly from the trajectory needed to achieve zero deforestation by 2030. Brazil dominates the losses of primary tropical forests, experiencing a worrisome increase of over 14% in 2022. In Amazonas state, deforestation rates have nearly doubled in the past three years.

However, there are some encouraging developments, such as Indonesia's successful reduction of primary tropical forest loss through government and corporate actions. Indonesia's measures include a permanent moratorium on logging in new palm oil plantations and intensified efforts to monitor and control fires. Despite these positive examples, urgent and concerted efforts are necessary to reverse the global trend and effectively combat deforestation.

Deforestation remains a pressing global concern, as recent analysis shows that progress towards halting and reversing forest loss is falling short of the commitments made at the COP26 climate meeting. Brazil continues to dominate in terms of losses of primary tropical forest, with a significant increase in deforestation rates.

However, Indonesia has demonstrated a positive trend, successfully reducing its primary tropical forest loss through government and corporate actions. Other countries, such as Malaysia, Bolivia, and Ghana, have experienced significant forest losses driven by commodity agriculture and other factors. The urgency to address deforestation is emphasized, as it poses a severe threat to global temperatures and biodiversity. Swift action is required to mitigate further damage and preserve these invaluable ecosystems. Additionally, measuring and tracking deforestation poses challenges, but satellite imagery plays a crucial role in monitoring forest cover and identifying human-caused deforestation.