Essential characteristic, working method, and enlightenment of international organizations of tropical rainforest conservation

The preservation of tropical rainforests possesses extensive urgency and global significance. Throughout the years, numerous international organizations have contributed enormous efforts to this cause and thereby can provide enlightening references for China′s efforts to protect tropical rainforests. Nonetheless, rare studies have been found to explore this issue systematically. Above all, in accordance with the search results in the Yearbook of International Organizations (YBIO) and supplemented by a literature search, 128 international organizations of tropical rainforest conservation (TR-IOs) were collated accordingly. On this basis, the paper provides a comprehensive overview of the essential characteristics of TR-IOs, encompassing organizational scale, organizational nature, and the evolutionary trajectory of their establishment purpose. Subsequently, the work method of TR-IOs was categorized into four distinct types on the basis of the documents issued by these international organizations and the nature of their activities. Aside from that, an analysis delved into the correlation between these work methods and three essential characteristics. Last but not least, countermeasures are put forward to enlighten China by drawing upon a comprehensive understanding of TR-IOs and China′s current state of tropical rainforest conservation. As demonstrated by the research findings, (1) Based upon their organizational scale, TR-IOs can be categorized into international organizations, intercontinental organizations, regional organizations, other organizations, and internationally oriented national organizations. In line with their organizational nature, they can be classified as scientific research groups, intergovernmental organizations, industry associations, and foundations. In accordance with their establishment purpose, they can be categorized into three stages: the cognitive stage of conservation value focusing on scientific research; the stage that fixes its attention on conservation restoration and sustainable use through research and practice, and the stage that concentrates on exploring and implementing new methods for responding to climate change. (2) The work method employed by TR-IOs can be categorized into four groups, namely research and monitoring, agreements and initiatives, standard certification, and exemplary practice; a conspicuous correlation exists between organizational scale, organizational nature, and organizational purpose of TR-IOs in their chosen work method. (3) This study comes up with two crucial insights derived from the study. For one thing, China should actively engage in influential and large-scale TR-IOs to enhance capacity, and establish scientific institutes and industry associations to strengthen regional leadership, and ameliorate cooperation with various TR-IOs under the government′s leadership and accordingly establish practical demonstrations. For another, it is advisable to optimize the mechanism of scientific research cooperation and facilitate the mutual transformation between scientific research results and practical results, launch conservation, restoration and sustainable use of tropical rainforests initiatives, better the rainforest-related sustainability certification system, and establish practical demonstrations, so as to reconcile tropical rainforest conservation and community sustainable development.