Forests are more than just trees; they are vital ecosystems, sources of livelihoods and key to global climate resilience. Yet the policy instruments that govern our forest resources are as diverse and complex as the forests themselves. My new book, European Forest Policy and Governance: An Integrative Analytical Framework delves into forest policy and governance and offers new perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping Europe’s forest landscapes.
Why I wrote this book (and almost regretted it…)
It all started during the COVID lockdown. Remember those days when we all thought we had plenty of time to learn a new language, bake sourdough bread and finally tackle those long-delayed projects? Well, back then I decided to write a book… with no travel, few distractions and the prevailing illusion of having lots of free time. Writing a book on European forestry policy seemed like a fantastic idea!
Fast forward a few months and life had returned to normal, except that I was determined to finish what I had started. Suddenly, my dwindling free time turned into a wrestling match between the desire to work on my book and the call for sleep. I have to admit that I kept asking myself “Why am I doing this?” But by then I was too deep in the forest to turn back.
Apart from my temporary lapse of judgement, there were other motivations. First, I wanted to bring together years of research into a coherent text. Second, no recent academic textbook had focused exclusively on European forest policy and governance. And third, I wanted to address the lack of structured materials for teaching forest policy.
Why does forest policy matter?
From the boreal forests of Sweden to the Mediterranean forests of Greece, Europe’s forests vary greatly in their ecological and socio-economic importance. What they have in common is the web of policies, stakeholders and governance mechanisms that determine how forest resources are managed. Forest policy (which refers to the framework of laws, regulations and institutional mechanisms that shape how forests are managed and used) is no longer just about forestry, but also about climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable industries and even international trade.
However, as my book highlights, forest policy in Europe faces a unique challenge: the lack of a common framework at both the conceptual and the legislative level. The conceptual level refers to the lack of a common understanding of what constitutes forest policy: how it is defined, which sectors it covers, and which EU policy areas are considered relevant to forest governance. Without this common perspective, different stakeholders may interpret forest policy in different ways, leading to fragmented approaches. The legislative level refers to the legal dimension: the lack of a common or binding legal framework governing forests at EU level. Instead, forest-related policies are embedded in different sectoral regulations, such as environmental, agricultural or trade policies, resulting in a complex and often uncoordinated policy landscape. This creates a fragmented but fascinating policy landscape.
My book presents an integrative framework that bridges the gaps between different forest policy domains and levels of governance. It invites readers to explore key questions such as
- What is the role of the European Green Deal in the EU forest strategy? Can the EU’s ambitious climate policy reshape forest governance?
- Circular economy and forest-based industries: How can forests drive the transition to sustainable production and consumption?
- Changing patterns of ownership, management, and use rights of forest land and resources (also known as forest tenure): What do new tenure trends mean for ecosystem services and biodiversity?
- Managing trade-offs in forest use: How can policymakers balance conservation needs with economic demands such as timber production?
With case studies from countries such as Sweden, the UK, Greece and Romania, the book highlights the diversity of governance systems and the lessons they offer for pan-European forest cooperation.
Forest policy teaching tools
Understanding forest policy is like solving a multidimensional puzzle. Therefore, an additional contribution of this book is its practical focus on the tools needed to navigate the complexities of European forest policy. The book and its appendix provide step-by-step guides to analytical methods, including
- Actor and network analysis to understand who has the power to influence decisions and drive policy change;
- Value chain analysis to map how forest products and services move through economies and where interventions can be most effective;
- Content and discourse analysis to decode the language of policy documents and how narratives shape forest governance; scenario building to explore policy challenges and design resilient strategies; and
- SWOT/STEP analysis to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to inform better policymaking.
Forest governance is inherently interdisciplinary and requires cross-disciplinary skills. This book can help readers develop the analytical skills needed to address forest policy challenges by introducing different methodologies.
A new perspective on European forest governance
Finally, one of the central themes of the book is the importance of integrated analysis in addressing the multidimensional challenges of forest governance (referring to the broader system of processes, actors (public and private) and institutions (formal and informal) that affect forest management and policy implementation). Traditional approaches often focus on individual policy areas, but this book shows how interconnected forest governance really is. For example, EU renewable energy targets may conflict with biodiversity objectives, highlighting the need for better policy coordination and dialogue. The book also emphasizes the role of innovative tools in forest policy analysis. From actor-network analysis to content and discourse analysis, the methodological approaches outlined in the book provide researchers and policymakers with practical strategies for future policy research.
And now?
Writing this book has been rewarding and has deepened my understanding of European forest governance. I hope it can be a valuable resource for those working in the field. I look forward to hearing the views of others and contributing to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable forest governance in Europe.
More information is available at: https://www.routledge.com/European-Forest-Policy-and-Governance-An-Integrative-Analytical-Framework/Aggestam/p/book/9781032057460
Join us for the virtual book launch of European Forest Policy and Governance on April 7 at 10:30 AM (CET). This webinar, hosted by the EFI Forest Policy Research Network (FPRN), will feature expert discussions on forest policy and governance in Europe, with Helga Pülzl (European Forest Institute), Roman Michalak (UNECE/FAO Forests), and Georg Winkel (Wageningen University & Research), moderated by Gerhard Weiss (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna – BOKU).
Plus, take part in our book quiz for a chance to win a free copy! Register now: https://fprn.info/join-the-book-launch-webinar/
