The Great Green Wall of China and its desertification battle
China faces a daunting challenge. A vast portion of its land has turned arid, with 27.4 percent of the country’s surface facing desert conditions and millions affected. The desert is spreading, and every year sandstorms swallow thousands of square kilometers of farmland. Yet the Great Green Wall project showcases how sustained, large-scale policy can turn the tide against desertification and protect farmers and ecosystems alike.
So what is the Great Green Wall of China? Also called the Three-North Shelterbelt Program, it is the world’s largest forest engineering effort. Begun in 1978, the plan envisions a forest belt stretching 4,480 kilometers across China from the northwest to the northeast, running through the regions most hit by desertification and crop losses. The aim is clear: halt the advance of the Gobi Desert and restore ecological balance along a broad corridor that touches key agricultural zones.
Despite skepticism about long-term success, the project has delivered substantial, measurable results. Scientific studies from the Institute of Applied Ecology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have shown noteworthy progress in forest cover and ecological health as the project unfolds.
Significant gains in forest area
Research indicates that forest areas created between 1978 and 2017 increased by about 158,051 square kilometers, a scale comparable to nearly twice the area of Andalusia. Beyond expanding green cover, the initiative delivers a crucial climate benefit through CO2 sequestration, helping to slow climate-driven stress on croplands and watersheds.
Analysts have noted that the reforestation program has acted as a large carbon sink, absorbing a meaningful portion of China’s industrial CO2 emissions during the period from 1978 to 2017.
From roughly 221,000 square kilometers of forest in 1978, the Three Norths forest area rose to about 379,000 square kilometers by 2017. This growth underpins a carbon capture system estimated at tens of millions of tons annually across those forty years.
Long-term data also show a decline in spring sandstorms in Beijing, with a reduction of around 70 percent between 2008 and 2018, reflecting the project’s lasting climate and air quality benefits long before completion.
Spring sandstorms in Beijing drop by 70 percent from 2008 to 2018
The program planted a total of around 66 billion trees by 2018, prioritizing species with resilience to harsh and arid soils. Species from the Fabaceae family, among others, were selected for their adaptability to desert margins and their ecological benefits in stabilizing soils and reducing erosion.
Chinese forestry authorities maintain ongoing vigilance over the initiative’s progress, noting that desert pressures sometimes persist even as reforestation materializes. The momentum has shifted with renewed efforts and improved management in recent years, showing how ecological restoration can move forward with disciplined oversight.
Experts acknowledge that some criticisms of the program stem from concerns about the methods used and the quality of some reforestation efforts. Critics argue that planting without sufficient site preparation or ecological planning can waste resources and fail to deliver lasting benefits. The Guangxi and Beijing dialogues highlight the importance of adaptive management to ensure trees survive and ecosystems recover in the long term.
A long-term national strategy
China frames the Great Green Wall within a broader national strategy to expand forest cover across the country. Substantial public investment supports ongoing forest expansion and ecological restoration, reflecting a policy priority aimed at biodiversity, soil conservation, and climate resilience.
Official data show that since 2001, roughly 50,000 square kilometers of forest area are added or maintained each year in China, a scale comparable to substantial regional landscapes. This sustained effort mirrors an overarching commitment to green development and environmental stewardship.
An average of 50,000 square kilometers of forest area is saved annually in China
Investment in reforestation has reached billions of euros in the early 2010s, underscoring the scale of state-driven environmental action. International reports highlight the tightening of rules against illegal deforestation, reflecting global attention to green policies. China has become a leading voice in environmental initiatives in the current century, even as it continues to work toward reducing emissions and expanding sustainable land use. A sizable share of land remains dry, reminding observers that the fight against desertification is ongoing and requires adaptive, science-informed strategies.
The Green is Gold report provides a high-level assessment of China’s ecological civilization efforts and the broader actions aligned with sustainable development. The Three Norths project remains a benchmark for large-scale land restoration, with ongoing research and policy refinements guiding its future trajectory.
Notes reference the major studies and official program data used to analyze progress and outcomes. This description emphasizes the need for careful monitoring, transparent reporting, and continued investment in green infrastructure to sustain gains and tackle remaining desertification challenges.