China Sets 25.8 Percent Forest Coverage Target by 2030

The National Forestry and Grassland Administration, in coordination with three other government departments, released a five-year plan for forestry and grassland conservation covering the 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030.

China aims to increase forest coverage to 25.8 percent and raise forest stock volume to 22.4 billion cubic meters by 2030. The plan targets a total output value for the sector of 14 trillion yuan, approximately $2 trillion. To achieve these goals, the government mandates decisive progress on national shelterbelt programs across northwest, north, and northeast China, alongside large-scale afforestation campaigns and the expansion of protected areas.

A central component of the initiative is a wildlife protection project designed to provide emergency rescue and early-warning monitoring for 165 critically endangered plant and animal species currently under state protection.