Illegal logging contributes between 15% and 30% of the global wood trade, according to Interpol. China is a major buyer of the world’s illegal timber, according to environmental groups, especially from Pacific nations like PNG and Solomon Islands, which are implicated in illegal or unsustainable logging. More than 90% of wood exports from PNG, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu end up in China. Where other countries have laws in place preventing the purchase of illegally harvested timber, China doesn’t yet. The country is trying to close the loopholes for illegal timber suppliers.

Source: The Guardian May 31, 2021 20:00 UTC