Taiwan has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve 100% certification of its public forests under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), covering 1.6 million hectares. This certified area accounts for 71.5% of Taiwan’s total forest land, representing the highest certification rate in the region.

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture introduced the FSC certification system in 2018 to enhance sustainable forest management. According to Director Lin Hua-qing, this achievement is expected to reduce Taiwan’s dependence on imported timber by increasing domestic production, thereby lowering energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with timber transportation.

To support sustainable forestry, the agency has implemented multiple strategies, including promoting FSC-compliant forestry practices, facilitating certification for private forests, and encouraging the use of domestic wood in construction projects. Additional initiatives focus on revitalizing Taiwan’s bamboo industry and enhancing the forest-based economy through non-timber products such as forest therapy services.

Public awareness efforts are also underway to promote the purchase of FSC-certified products. The agency is advocating for the use of local wood in public institutions, such as schools, to further support the sustainable forestry sector.