The 2026 Environmental Report by the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN) warns that Argentina lost more than 550,000 hectares of native forest between 2022 and 2024, marking an environmental setback characterized by soil degradation, prolonged droughts, weakening of protected areas, and an energy matrix dependent on more than 80% of fossil fuels.
This scenario distances the country from the international goals set for 2030 and reflects the non-compliance with commitments made in the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Main findings of the report
Regulatory setbacks and state defunding: weakening of environmental institutions and a 32.3% drop in the budget for National Parks compared to 2023.
Forests at risk: 211,974 hectares destroyed in 2022, 173,816 in 2023, and 165,061 in 2024. Forest fires accounted for 13% of the total loss.
Deteriorated biodiversity: Argentina was supposed to present its National Biodiversity Report in 2026 but missed the deadline. Currently, only 13% of the terrestrial territory and 7% of the maritime territory are protected, far from the 30% target.
High emissions: in 2022, 401 million tons of CO₂e were emitted, with the energy sector being the main culprit (50%).
Fossil dependence: more than 80% of the energy matrix is based on natural gas and oil.
Social and economic impacts
The environmental setback affects not only biodiversity but also daily life:
- Rural communities and indigenous peoples: directly suffer from deforestation, fires, and degradation of water sources.
- Agricultural production: the historic drought of 2023 caused million-dollar losses, and in 2026, 30% of the territory remains under drought conditions.
- Social inequalities: the most vulnerable sectors lack resources to protect themselves or relocate in the face of environmental degradation.
Consequences of forest loss
Forests perform essential functions:
- Climate regulation.
- Biodiversity conservation.
- Soil and water cycle protection.
- Support for rural communities and indigenous peoples.
Their destruction accelerates erosion, reduces the productive capacity of soils, and increases the risk of fires.
FARN’s recommendations
The report suggests that reversing this scenario requires:
- Effective controls on deforestation.
- Adequate funding for the Forest Law.
- Prevention and fighting of forest fires.
- Recovery of state capacities and strengthening of control bodies.
- Community participation in territorial decisions.
Argentina is far from meeting the 2030 environmental goals: reducing emissions, conserving 30% of territories, halting biodiversity loss, and restoring degraded ecosystems.
The continuation of fossil dependence, forest loss, and non-compliance with international commitments reflect a growing gap between official discourse and implemented policies.
The 2026 Environmental Report warns that without a change of course, the environmental, economic, and social costs will become increasingly difficult to reverse.
