The assessment of the integration efficiency of forest management and forest protection in Russia and China

Based on an integrated approach to assessing the integration efficiency in the field of forest management and forest protection in both Russia and China, the author analyzes the indicators of the change in forest area as a result of economic activity, the status of voluntary certification of forests and wood consumption for production that reflect business responsibility for addressing environmental and social issues. The study examines the availability of forests performing the functions of biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. A comparative analysis of the properties under review identifies that China is a leader in the forest expansion, the decrease in forest product consumption and other indicators, which is a consequence of the successful implementation of environmental and economic policy mechanisms in the field of greening forest management and forest protection. The Russian Federation lacks sustainable development criteria, and as a planetary donor of resources and environmental services, it risks being involved in the raw-material development area of the forest economy. Forest condition, the dynamics of its change, trends in forest production development are crucial in making national policy and management decisions and determining the direction of public and private investment in forestry.