China’s Role in Promoting Global Forest Governance and Combating Deforestation

China has transitioned from a timber producer to the world's largest importer of logs and sawnwood, which has increased its influence on global forest governance. While the 2019 Forest Law prohibits handling illegally felled timber, the report argues that voluntary systems like the China Timber Legality Verification System (CTLVS) are insufficient. The document highlights the role of forest certification (FSC and CFCC) and the impact of soft commodities—soy, beef, palm oil, and wood products—which are responsible for at least 40% of global deforestation. It recommends a twin-track approach of mandatory legislation and financial incentives to ensure deforestation-free supply chains.

• China is the world's largest importer of timber, with imports of logs and sawnwood exceeding domestic commercial production since 2014. By 2018, China imported nearly 300 million cubic metres in roundwood equivalent (RWE).
• The 2019 revision of China's Forest Law, specifically Article 65 which took effect on 1 July 2020, provides a legal basis to prohibit the purchase, processing, or transport of timber known to be illegally or indiscriminately felled.
• Voluntary mechanisms for timber legality, such as the China Timber Legality Verification System (CTLVS), are deemed insufficient to combat persistent global deforestation, particularly in the tropics.
• Forest certification has expanded in China, with over 2 million hectares of forest being Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and 8.7 million hectares certified by the China Forest Certification Council (CFCC).
• The global value chains of four specific soft commodities—soy, beef, palm oil, and wood products—are responsible for at least 40% of global deforestation.
• Chinese companies operating in Gabon demonstrated a positive impact on forest cover; between 2007 and 2017, Gabon's forest coverage increased from 85.4% to 90.8% while Chinese management of the country's forests increased.
• China's role in soft commodity trade is dominant, accounting for almost 60% of global soy imports in 2019 and ranking as the world's largest importer of beef, pulp, paper, and timber.
• The report argues that enforcing legality requirements on imports does not violate the sovereignty of trading partners but rather supports it by upholding the laws and policies of those exporting countries.

APA

World Economic Forum (2022). China’s Role in Promoting Global Forest Governance and Combating Deforestation. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_China’s_Role_Promoting_Global_Forest_Governance_and_Combating_Deforestation_2022.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. China’s Role in Promoting Global Forest Governance and Combating Deforestation. 2022. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_China’s_Role_Promoting_Global_Forest_Governance_and_Combating_Deforestation_2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=China’s Role in Promoting Global Forest Governance and Combating Deforestation |date=July 2022 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_China’s_Role_Promoting_Global_Forest_Governance_and_Combating_Deforestation_2022.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2022chinas, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{China’s Role in Promoting Global Forest Governance and Combating Deforestation}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2022}, month = jul, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_China’s_Role_Promoting_Global_Forest_Governance_and_Combating_Deforestation_2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }