Factors contributing to China’s carbon stock change in the harvested wood products trade

Trade in harvested wood products (HWPs) induces carbon stock changes between different countries. Carbon stock change significantly influences a country’s contribution to carbon removals. China is a net importer of HWPs, and the trade in HWPs has a positive contribution to China’s carbon stock. This paper empirically analyzes the factors influencing carbon stock changes. The results imply that the forest resource difference and the GDP of the two trading countries have significantly positive impacts on the carbon stock change in HWP trade, while the population size, distance, trade openness difference and illegal logging control policies on both trading sides have significantly negative impacts. An in-depth study of the carbon stock change in the trade of industrial roundwood, paper and cardboard, sawnwood, and wood-based panels confirmed these results. Based on the conclusions, this paper recommends some policies to improve the carbon stock of China’s HWPs.