Colombia is the world’s second most biodiverse nation. It is home to 63,303 species, hosting around 10% of the species that exist worldwide; devastating Colombia’s deforestation surged 35% in 2024, threatening Columbia’s position and the delicate ecosystems and animals within it.
In 2024, Colombia witnessed forest loss rise from 792 square kilometres in 2023 to 1,070 square kilometres. This upsetting tide of Colombia’s deforestation surged 35% in 2024, following a period in 2023 when Deforestation decreased to a 23-year low.
Underlying Causes of Increased Deforestation
The resurgence in deforestation is primarily attributed to conflicts involving illegal armed groups, who are converting forested areas into pastures and coca plantations. The Colombian Amazon has been the most affected region, with 107,000 hectares of forest lost in 2024.
The 2016 peace agreement with the FARC inadvertently led to increased deforestation, as the power vacuum allowed various actors to exploit forested areas.
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Governmental and International Responses
Colombia had only recently hosted the COP16 UN biodiversity summit in 2024. Additionally, the Colombian government has been promoting sustainable practices, such as silvopasture, to combat deforestation, underscoring its commitment to environmental conservation.
The recently resigned and soon-to-step-down Environment Minister Susana Muhamad highlighted that approximately $70 million in environmental funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) had been frozen, impacting conservation efforts, particularly in the Amazon.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist due to corruption, limited resources, and the presence of armed groups, complicating enforcement of environmental regulations.
Colombia is a country that primarily focuses on ending deforestation. It is a signatory to multiple pacts and agreements as a testament to the nation’s priorities, such as the Leticia Pact, a regional environmental initiative involving Amazonian countries working together to curb deforestation and protect biodiversity, and it is also a signatory of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use from COP26, which aims to halt deforestation by 2030.
The news of a surge in forest cover and deforestation can be traced to the illegal and corrupt activities of unauthorized mining, logging, cattle ranching and more, which put an already threatened region at risk. To get back on track with Colombia’s multiple treaties, the nation will have to bolster its strength and be rigid and strict with its rules and punishments.
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