European Forest Policy and Governance: An Integrative Analytical Framework

This book provides a state-of-the-art overview covering distinct and relevant aspects of forest policy processes in Europe, presenting a fresh perspective on different analytical approaches, theories, and frameworks.

Set against the background of a changing world, driven by significant social, environmental, and economic developments, in Europe and elsewhere, there is a growing need for an improved understanding of forest governance and how to analyse the forest policymaking processes. This book introduces the reader to some of the key issues typically encountered in reviewing proposed as well as established forest policies, focusing on five socially relevant topics for the forest-based sector today, namely:

• European forest governance under a green new deal
• Systemic changes and the circular (bio-)economy
• Social changes connected with forest ownership and forest actors
• Nature conservation and the pursuit of multifunctional forests
• Living with forest fires and climate change.

In so doing, this book presents a set of timely and rich case studies relevant to the study of forest governance. In the final chapter, it puts forward an innovative and systematic method for selecting the most appropriate analytical tool that accounts for the constraints and objectives involved in monitoring forest policy. The book is accompanied by chapter-level exercises and online Support Material which details the various approaches, theories, and frameworks discussed in the book, providing direct links back to individual chapters, discussion points, and a step-by-step guide for how each method can be applied.

This book will be an essential read for forestry students and scholars, and professionals and policymakers working on forest policy and forest management.

Filip Aggestam is a Guest Researcher at the European Forest Institute's Forest Policy Research Network (EFI-FPRN) and works as a Scientific and Technical Officer for the Convention on Wetlands in Gland, Switzerland. Previously, he has worked as a Technical Expert for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and as a Senior Researcher for the Institute of Forest, Environmental and Natural Resource Policy and the European Forest Institute (EFI) Forest Policy Research Network (FPRN) at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, Austria.