Bridging biodiversity frameworks: A comparative analysis of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), adopted in 2022, sets ambitious targets aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. It outlines 23 global targets, including the conservation of at least 30% of land and sea areas and the reduction of pollution impacts. The EU has recently adopted...

Through Smoke to Policy: Framing the EU Forest Fire Policy Landscape

The global community is grappling with a significant increase in forest fires’ frequency, size, and intensity, presenting a profound challenge. To complement existing framing literature on forest fires, this paper examines collective frames applied to forest fires in a broader EU context. Employing a content analysis – spanning both...

Breaking down barriers to sustainability transition

The call for intersectoral action in addressing complex environmental problems, such as land degradation, biodiversity loss and carbon emissions, has become increasingly pressing due to the complexity and uncertainty behind these challenges. These policy problems are referred to as “wicked problems” because they lack a single solution, which highlights...

Implementing Circular-Bioeconomy Principles across Two Value Chains of the Wood-Based Sector: A Conceptual Approach

The wood-based sector has the potential to contribute significantly to the circular bioeconomy. This paper examines the potential for implementing circular bioeconomy principles across two value chains, covering five sectors: “sawnwood”, “bioenergy”, “construction”, “paper and pulp”, and “cellulose-based fibres and plastics”. The qualitative value chain analysis is limited to...

Circularity concepts in forest-based industries

The world’s prevalent economic model, based on a ‘take-make-use-dispose’ approach, cannot maintain and raise human standards of living without causing environmental degradation and incurring economic risks. Decoupling economic activity from the increasing demand for natural resources could be done through circular, bio-based economy approaches leading to a regenerative growth...

European Union Forest Strategy for 2030

One of the flagship actions planned for under the European Green Deal was the development of a third EU Forest Strategy for which the Commission prepared a proposal in 2021 (EC, 2019). As part of this process, the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on the third EU Forest...

Natural Resource Nexuses in the ECE region

The pressure on natural resources continues to increase Increasing demand, changing climates and technologies, urbanisation, growing populations, societal demand and inequalities, globalisation and other megatrends are putting enormous pressure on natural resources, most of which are not renewable. Population growth and urbanisation: 9 billion people are expected by 2050...

European Forest Governance post-2020

Europe and the EU will face a significant new era of forest policymaking after 2020. A strategic and coordinated policy direction will be required, not least to support the implementation of globally agreed policy targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement and Convention on Biological...

Is sharing truly caring? Environmental data value chains and policymaking in Europe and Central Asia

Highlights The Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) aim to expand the access to environmental data. SEIS has had a significant and positive impact on the production and harmonisation of environmental indicators. Data harmonization problems (e.g., data collection, definitions, and legislation) remain throughout the pan-European region. Non-evidence-based policymaking highlight a...