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Hanna Ekström

Hanna Ekström

Doctoral student

Hanna Ekström

Forest policy in Nordic countries : Expert opinions on future needs, uncertainties, and recommendations

Author

  • Ayonghe A. Nebasifu
  • Niina Pietarinen
  • Alexia Fridén
  • Hanna Ekström
  • Teemu Harrinkari
  • Dalia D'Amato
  • Nils Droste

Summary, in English

There are broad calls in national and international forest policy processes for basing decision-making on the best obtainable scientific knowledge. Simultaneously, there is also a need to accommodate plural values and objectives people and society in general have associated with forests. An essential step for building an evidence base that accommodates pluralistic understandings is to capture informant views on forest policies and the alternatives they offer to better prepare for future scenarios. This article draws on research experts’ views in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, gathered from interviews between February and May 2023. An existing gap to bridge is understanding to what extent such views differ or correlate across the study countries. By systematizing on the similarities and differences in opinions, we develop a synopsis of future needs and uncertainties in policies across the studied countries, concluding with recommendations for determining the use of Nordic forests. Despite divergence in personal views and uncertainties about the future, most respondents saw a need for inclusive policymaking, policy coherence and integration, and changes in forest management. We find that strengthening evidence-basis, stakeholder participation, adaptive governance, and integrative forest management are challenges for future policy making.

Department/s

  • Department of Political Science
  • LU Profile Area: Nature-based future solutions
  • Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC)
  • BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate
  • CIRCLE

Publishing year

2024-06

Language

English

Publication/Series

Trees, Forests and People

Volume

16

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified

Keywords

  • Evidence-based forestry
  • Forest policy
  • Future policy needs
  • Knowledge and resilience
  • Policy recommendations
  • Trade-offs and synergies
  • Uncertainties

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 2666-7193