ForestPaths partners from Prospex Institute have recently published a report on the most recent Policy Engagement Forum (PEF) event of the project. Kick-started in 2024, this format is meant to bring the discussion on policy pathways for resilient and sustainable forestry to the various experts, stakeholders and decision-makers directly involved in the topic. Through a variety of outreach formats, views on sectoral challenges and needs are gathered, feedback is provided and experiences are shared in a bid to increase expertise and capacities on all sides. 

On 21 November, these aims provided the basis for an online workshop on Climate and Biodiversity-Smart (CBS) forest management across Europe, which is the topic of the aforementioned report. As the document makes clear, the focus was on the kind of policies that are most conducive to the broader adoption of this approach. Some crucial context and facilitation in this regard was provided by ForestPaths coordinator Dr. Hans Verkerk (European Forest Institute) as well as project partner Clint Richards and former partner Rosa Beghi (Prospex Institute). Further insight was provided by Prof. Diana Feliciano from Teesside University in a presentation on ForestPaths' research into CBS forest management and the dedicated stakeholder interviews and workshops undertaken on the topic. 

The event also incorporated a group exercise that saw the audience being split into two groups. Both had the opportunity to formulate answers to the following questions: 

• Why would CBS forest management be relevant in Europe? 

• What are the policies in place to ensure the wider implementation of CBS forest management across Europe? 

• Do you know where in Europe forest management practices are implemented that could be considered CBS? 

Subsequently, the audience reconvened for a discussion on the answers generated by the two groups. Much of the conversation revolved around key barriers and enablers underpinning CBS methods. Limited policy implementation, funding gaps and weak societal support were seen to represent the former category. As for the latter, participants identified advisory services, traditional knowledge and multifunctional forest practices as apt examples. 

Ultimately, four main conclusions earned the agreement of attendees: 

• Subsidies and grants for forest management are ineffectively distributed among forest owners; 

• Traditional knowledge is not recognised in the design of forest policy; 

• CBS implementation should be exacted through legislation and regulation; 

• Forest owners’ associations should promote, train and facilitate CBS implementation among their members. 

The full event report can be found here. More about ForestPaths’ research into CBS approaches is listed on this page. You also have the chance to join the conversation started at the event via the newly launched ForestPaths PEF community on LinkedIn. Within it, you can voice your opinions on how biodiversity and climate goals can be aligned in forest planning and thus help shape the debate on the future of this critical European biome. Check out the Forum's first prompts in the LinkedIn discussion on CBS approaches here.