Overview
The primary drivers of deforestation are the expansion of livestock and other agricultural production in the Brazilian Amazon, increases in palm oil production in Indonesia, and the use of biomass as a fuel source throughout the developing world. The majority of deforestation occurs in developing countries that rely on these resources for basic sustenance and economic development. These countries often lack legal enforcement of environmental laws and land rights, further complicating efforts to prevent deforestation and implement reforestation and afforestation projects.
