What is Forest Policy?

Let us start with a fundamental question: What exactly is forest policy? Not just in the context of this website, but more broadly – at national, regional and international levels. At first glance, one might assume that forest policy is only about forests (or trees), or perhaps about wood-based products. However, the definition of forest policy is not always straightforward; it depends on the context.

From a forestry perspective, forest policy might simply refer to the laws and regulations that govern the protection and management of forests. From the perspective of forest-based industries, however, it extends to policies on employment, financing and investment, payments for environmental goods and services, and access to international markets.

Furthermore, forest policy can be analysed from two complementary perspectives:

• A sectoral (horizontal) perspective, which considers policies affecting forests in different economic and environmental sectors.
• A vertical perspective (local to international), which reflects the different legal and institutional responsibilities at each level of governance.

In Europe, for example, forest policy is particularly diverse. The European Union (EU) has no direct competence over forests – i.e. it can only implement non-legally binding (or “soft law”) policy instruments. The same applies to global or pan-European forest-related agreements, such as the United Nations Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests (or “Forest Instrument”).

Ultimately, forest policy is defined by the perspective we take. In my view, it goes beyond national regulations – where responsibilities and roles are often strictly defined – to include any policy instrument that directly or indirectly affects forests. This could range from environmental regulations on chemicals and waste management frameworks that affect forest-based industries, to biodiversity conservation laws or renewable energy policies that affect forest use.

Forest policy – and forest governance – involves a wide range of instruments, actors and competing interests, all centered on the management of a vital natural resource.

And this is what makes forest policy so fascinating: it is complex, dynamic and interconnected across multiple policy areas. But at its core, it remains about trees – and all the ways we use them, whether for construction, energy, paper, textiles, recreation or simply for their intrinsic beauty.