Society Economy And Forests The Unfolding Forest Transition In China And The Lessons For The Future

The paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the changes witnessed in the forest sector in China during the last three decades and the key drivers that have contributed to the country’s forest transition. Clearly, such a transition is an outcome of the convergence of several factors, including the emergence of China as an industrial economy, clear and consistent policies, tenure reforms, investment in key forestry programmes, and strengthening science and technology capabilities. The paper also provides an indication of the emerging challenges, including the larger uncertainties stemming from inward-looking policies and the outbreak of global pandemics and crises. This study on forest transition in China will provide valuable insights into what is required to build and sustainably manage forest capital in order to meet the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders, whether global, national or local.

Against the backdrop of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use and the pledge of 140 countries to eliminate forest loss by 2030 and to support restoration and sustainable forestry, the 2022 edition of The State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) explores the potential of three forest pathways for achieving green recovery and tackling multidimensional planetary crises, including climate change and biodiversity loss. The three interrelated pathways are halting deforestation and maintaining forests; restoring degraded lands and expanding agroforestry; and sustainably using forests and building green value chains. The balanced, simultaneous pursuit of these pathways can generate sustainable economic and social benefits for countries and their rural communities, help sustainably meet increasing global demand for materials, and address environmental challenges. The State of the World’s Forests 2022 presents evidence on the feasibility and value of these pathways and outlines initial steps that could be taken to further pursue them. There is no time to lose – action is needed now to keep the global temperature increase below 1.5 °C, reduce the risk of future pandemics, ensure food security and nutrition for all, eliminate poverty, conserve the planet’s biodiversity and offer young people hope of a better world and a better future for all.

This outlook study focuses on the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), comprising 14 countries in the Pacific region – Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu (Melanesia); the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, and Palau (Micronesia); and the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu (Polynesia). It examines the future prospects for forests and trees in the Pacific, providing insights into potential pathways of change and options for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study was prepared by FAO in response to a request from the Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry and incorporates information from country outlook papers, thematic studies, and various published and unpublished sources.

This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2021 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.

Forestry and Forest Policy are key issues for the protection of China’s natural environment and for its continued economic development. Originally published in 2003, the contributors to this title review the successes of China’s forest policies and the growth of its forests over the past quarter-century and examine the challenges facing China’s forests and rural environment. China’s Forests: Global Lessons from Market Reforms is a valuable resource for students interested in environmental studies, international forest policy, and the modern development of China.

Although China is generally considered to have suffered continuous deforestation over most of its history, forests were protected or even planted and maintained for centuries in some places. This study identifies six such cases. It uses historical evidence to show that individuals and communities act to manage resources sustainably for a number of reasons including economic benefit, religious or symbolic purposes, and that sustainability of the management system depends on the form of control exerted over the resource.

International concerns about greenhouse gases and threats to biodiversity, as well as regional concerns about water supply, erosion control, watersheds, and local economic well-being make the study of forest policy more important than ever before. Understanding the factors that affect the forest environment in China, the country with the world's largest population and one of its most dynamic economies, is a critical step toward improving the long-term welfare of the global community. This is the first book to comprehensively evaluate the effects of forest policy as it has followed or extended from agricultural, trade, and other reforms that began in 1978. Among the issues it addresses are the pressures exerted by the growing economy on the forest environment, the environmental effects of extractive activities, the property rights arrangements that have fostered the most sustainable management practices, and the contribution that forestry can make as an agent of development. China's Forest Policy pays particular attention to China's successful use of economic incentives. As a laboratory for policy reforms, the geographic breadth of China, the diversity of its forest environments, and its extensive record of policy experimentation provides a rich supply of contrasting examples and statistically meaningful results. The analysis of these results offers important lessons for future policy reform in China and in almost every other nation in the world.

Details the socio-political effects of forestry in China in recent decades and forestry's importance to China's future. Included is a comprehensive look at harvesting, sawmilling, tariffs and foreign exchange, pulp and paper production, seed collection, urban forestry, and soil erosion. Shows how the Chinese people are attempting to solve their problems and become self-sufficient in areas of industrial timber and fuelwood.