This report presents the interim findings and insights from the work conducted on developing policy recommendations for different stakeholder groups and governance levels. The key policy recommendations are structured across four governance levels, each supported by tailored recommendations:
- First, at the global level, addressing climate change and promoting sustainable forest management (SFM) will require fostering international cooperation through strengthened agreements and collaborations. This includes encouraging the exchange of best practices and technologies among countries. Investments in global monitoring systems to track deforestation, forest degradation, and carbon emissions are also critical for informed policy decisions and accountability.
- Second, at the national level, governments should develop comprehensive policy frameworks that integrate climate mitigation and adaptation strategies into forest management, ensuring these policies are regularly updated to reflect new scientific findings and changing environmental conditions. Streamlining regulations to reduce bureaucratic barriers and ensuring coherence in implementation are essential, alongside enhancing stakeholder engagement by the involvement of local communities, indigenous groups, and other stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and address diverse needs. Financial incentives for forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable practices should also be prioritised.
- Third, at the regional level, governance structures should be established to effectively coordinate development and resource allocation for addressing region-specific challenges. This requires integrating local knowledge and expertise into policy-making processes. Regional authorities should facilitate stakeholder engagement and co-creation processes to ensure policies are relevant and inclusive, while also investing in research and innovation tailored to regional conditions, such as nature-based solutions (NBS) and long-lived wood products, to support climate neutrality and socio-economic development.
- Finally, at the local level, governments and communities should be empowered to actively participate in forest management and climate mitigation efforts. Community-based management and public-private partnerships should be encouraged to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among stakeholders. Enhancing public awareness and education on sustainable forestry practices is crucial for building public support for policy initiatives, while practical measures like urban greening projects and community-based renewable energy initiatives should be implemented to address local needs and challenges.
Our multi-level governance (MLG) approach ensures a cohesive and effective strategy for climate mitigation and adaptation in forest management, fostering resilience and sustainability across ecosystems. The report also outlines recommendations across the OptFor-EU Stakeholder groups. Policymakers are encouraged to integrate climate mitigation and adaptation strategies into national and regional policies, aligning them with the European Green Deal (EGD) and the New EU Forest Strategy (EUFS). This involves creating regulatory frameworks for sustainable practices, such as financial subsidies for forest restoration and biodiversity conservation, while addressing institutional gaps and policy barriers to ensure effective implementation.
