A major new global report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) has shed fresh light on the real drivers of deforestation — and it’s not what many people think.
Contrary to popular belief, the timber industry is not the main cause of global forest loss. The report’s findings, based on high-resolution satellite analysis and AI-driven classification, show that:
- Over 95% of permanent deforestation is caused by agricultural expansion, not timber harvesting.
- The main culprits are land cleared for pasture, soy, palm oil, and shifting cultivation.
- Logging, when carried out responsibly, is a temporary land use, not a cause of irreversible forest loss.
- In fact, sustainable timber use is one of the most effective tools we have to protect forests in the long term.
Why Sustainable Timber Matters
At Tradelink Wood Products Limited, we have always believed that forests can and should be managed for perpetual use. This global report confirms what we and our responsible partners have long practised:
- Certified timber (such as FSC®-certified hardwoods) comes from forests managed with regeneration, biodiversity, and social responsibility in mind.
- Sustainable forestry provides economic value without deforestation, giving landowners and communities a reason to keep forests intact.
- Timber revenue supports jobs and livelihoods that depend on the forest staying healthy, especially in rural regions under threat from agricultural clearance.
What’s Really Causing Forest Loss?
The WRI report revealed some urgent facts:
- Wildfires have now become the leading driver of tropical forest loss — surpassing agriculture in 2024.
- These fires are often human-induced, used to clear land, and made worse by climate change.
- Agriculture continues to be the biggest cause of permanent deforestation, especially in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Despite major international pledges to end deforestation by 2030, most forest-rich countries are off track, and forest loss is accelerating.
Tradelink’s Commitment
As part of the global effort to protect forests, Tradelink Wood Products is committed to:
- Sourcing only from legal and responsibly managed forests
- Supporting forest certification and traceability
- Investing in long-term forest value over short-term extraction
- Educating the public and our stakeholders about the true causes of deforestation and the positive role of sustainable timber
The Bottom Line
Forests are not protected by banning timber — they are protected by using it wisely.
At Tradelink, we will continue to do our part in ensuring that forests remain valuable, vibrant, and viable for generations to come.
For more information or to view the full WRI report, visit:
www.wri.org/insights/forest-loss-drivers-data-trends