New data show 10% increase in primary tropical forest loss in 2022
Globally, the tropics lost 4.1 million hectares (10.1 million acres) of primary forest in 2022, 10% more than in 2021.
These losses occurred despite the pledges of 145 countries at COP26 in 2021 to increase efforts to reduce deforestation and halt it by 2030; the new data, from the University of Maryland, puts the world far off track for meeting the goal of zero deforestation.
According to Frances Seymour of World Resources Institute, there is an urgent need to increase financing for protecting and restoring forests.
