Argentina’s native forests are protected by law – and it backed a commitment by countries at the Glasgow COP26 climate summit to halt forest loss by 2030. Argentine government data indicates a loss of around 254,000 hectares nationwide in 2024, up 34% from 2023, despite a court injunction completely banning deforestation in Chaco since August 2024. That move led to a decrease of almost 80%, in real terms, in the environmental budget between 2023 and 2024, according to FARN. Despite the 2024 deforestation ban, there are signs that trees continue to be cut down in Chaco. Struggle to protect Indigenous landFor Chaco’s forest defenders, who include members of Indigenous communities, there have been some small victories.