Deforestation in Colombia decreases by 36% in 2023

In 2023, deforestation in Colombia decreased by 36 percent compared to the previous year, according to the country’s environment ministry, as reported by various media outlets.

In a Monday statement, the Environment Ministry announced that deforestation was reduced to just over 792 square kilometers (305 square miles) across Colombia last year, down from about 1,235 square kilometers (477 square miles) in 2022.

Experts attribute this significant decline, marking a 23-year low, to the progress in peace negotiations between the government and armed groups in the region, as well as financial incentives provided to Amazon farmers to support conservation efforts.

Colombia is set to host the COP16 United Nations biodiversity summit in Cali later this year.