IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/forpol/v170y2025ics1389934124002223.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comparing Nordic forest governance: Key informant perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Nebasifu, Ayonghe A.
  • D'Amato, Dalia
  • Ekström, Hanna
  • Pietarinen, Niina
  • Fridén, Alexia
  • Harrinkari, Teemu
  • Iliev, Bogomil
  • Brownell, Huntley
  • May, Wilhelm
  • Brockhaus, Maria
  • Thomsen, Marianne
  • Droste, Nils

Abstract

There is a growing call for comparative analyses of forest governance to facilitate knowledge exchange for the sustainable management of Nordic forest systems, addressing the needs of societal stakeholders in enhancing both the quality and quantity of forest resources. This study traces the development of nation-wide policy instruments implemented in four Nordic countries; Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark between 1970 and 2023, based on interviews among forest policy scholars and other research experts. Using an analytical framework that highlights the relations between policy intervention, change, impact, and learning, we compare central government practices and private actor initiatives in the Nordic countries that address the ecological, social, and economic values of forests. We find a common trend towards multifunctionality and soft governance as well as differences in the use of economic instruments and certification standardization. This study also considers insights into developments in Nordic forest governance, the enabling and impeding factors for past trends and outcomes and discusses the learning of this change towards equity in the multifunctional use of forests.

Suggested Citation

  • Nebasifu, Ayonghe A. & D'Amato, Dalia & Ekström, Hanna & Pietarinen, Niina & Fridén, Alexia & Harrinkari, Teemu & Iliev, Bogomil & Brownell, Huntley & May, Wilhelm & Brockhaus, Maria & Thomsen, Marian, 2025. "Comparing Nordic forest governance: Key informant perspectives," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:170:y:2025:i:c:s1389934124002223
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2024.103368
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389934124002223
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.forpol.2024.103368?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eric F. Lambin & Holly K. Gibbs & Robert Heilmayr & Kimberly M. Carlson & Leonardo C. Fleck & Rachael D. Garrett & Yann le Polain de Waroux & Constance L. McDermott & David McLaughlin & Peter Newton &, 2018. "The role of supply-chain initiatives in reducing deforestation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(2), pages 109-116, February.
    2. Vergarechea, M. & Astrup, R. & Fischer, C. & Øistad, K. & Blattert, C. & Hartikainen, M. & Eyvindson, K. & Di Fulvio, F. & Forsell, N. & Burgas, D. & Toraño-Caicoya, A. & Mönkkönen, M. & Antón-Fernánd, 2023. "Future wood demands and ecosystem services trade-offs: A policy analysis in Norway," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    3. Christian Henning & Ousmane Badiane & Eva Krampe (ed.), 2018. "Development Policies and Policy Processes in Africa," Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development, Springer, number 978-3-319-60714-6.
    4. Pietarinen, Niina & Harrinkari, Teemu & Brockhaus, Maria & Yakusheva, Natalya, 2023. "Discourses in Finnish forest policy: Cherry-picking or sustainability?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    5. Takala, Tuomo & Tanskanen, Minna & Brockhaus, Maria & Kanniainen, Teija & Tikkanen, Jukka & Lehtinen, Ari & Hujala, Teppo & Toppinen, Anne, 2023. "Is a sustainability transition possible within the decision-support services provided to Finnish forest owners?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    6. Susanna Paleari, 2024. "The Role of Strategic Autonomy in the EU Green Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-22, March.
    7. Ekström, Hanna & Danley, Brian & Clough, Yann & Droste, Nils, 2024. "Barking up the wrong tree? - A guide to forest owner typology methods," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    8. Stubenrauch, Jessica & Garske, Beatrice, 2023. "Forest protection in the EU's renewable energy directive and nature conservation legislation in light of the climate and biodiversity crisis – Identifying legal shortcomings and solutions," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    9. Rupert J. Baumgartner & Jouni Korhonen, 2010. "Strategic thinking for sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(2), pages 71-75.
    10. Vincent Pouliot & Jean†Philippe Thérien, 2018. "Global Governance in Practice," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 9(2), pages 163-172, May.
    11. Gulbrandsen, Lars H., 2024. "Implementing the EU LULUCF regulation in Norway: Short-term and long-term policy coherence challenges," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    12. Ludvig, Alice & Schmid, Blasius & Öllerer, Barbara & Nikinmaa, Laura & Hurtado, Pilar & Rodriguez-Ogea, Montserrat & Toppinen, Anne, 2024. "Increasing climate-related resilience in the forest-based value chains? A policy perspective," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    13. Cubbage, Frederick & Harou, Patrice & Sills, Erin, 2007. "Policy instruments to enhance multi-functional forest management," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 9(7), pages 833-851, April.
    14. Toraño Caicoya, Astor & Vergarechea, Marta & Blattert, Clemens & Klein, Julian & Eyvindson, Kyle & Burgas, Daniel & Snäll, Tord & Mönkkönen, Mikko & Astrup, Rasmus & Di Fulvio, Fulvio & Forsell, Nikla, 2023. "What drives forest multifunctionality in central and northern Europe? Exploring the interplay of management, climate, and policies," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    15. Eriksson, Louise & Sandström, Camilla, 2022. "Is voluntarism an effective and legitimate way of governing climate adaptation? A study of private forest owners in Sweden," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    16. Hetemäki, L. & D'Amato, D. & Giurca, A. & Hurmekoski, E., 2024. "Synergies and trade-offs in the European forest bioeconomy research: State of the art and the way forward," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    17. Arnold, J.E. Michael & Kohlin, Gunnar & Persson, Reidar, 2006. "Woodfuels, livelihoods, and policy interventions: Changing Perspectives," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 596-611, March.
    18. Atle Midttun & Knut Myrum Næss & Proadpran Boonprasurd Piccini, 2019. "Biofuel Policy and Industrial Transition—A Nordic Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-19, July.
    19. Fridén, Alexia & D'Amato, Dalia & Ekström, Hanna & Iliev, Bogomil & Nebasifu, Ayonghe & May, Wilhelm & Thomsen, Marianne & Droste, Nils, 2024. "Mapping two centuries of forest governance in Nordic countries: An open access database," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    20. Per Angelstam & Terrence Bush & Michael Manton, 2023. "Challenges and Solutions for Forest Biodiversity Conservation in Sweden: Assessment of Policy, Implementation Outputs, and Consequences," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-58, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fridén, Alexia & D'Amato, Dalia & Ekström, Hanna & Iliev, Bogomil & Nebasifu, Ayonghe & May, Wilhelm & Thomsen, Marianne & Droste, Nils, 2024. "Mapping two centuries of forest governance in Nordic countries: An open access database," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    2. Ficko, Andrej & Boncina, Andrej, 2013. "Probabilistic typology of management decision making in private forest properties," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 34-43.
    3. Bergstén, Sabina & Stjernström, Olof & Pettersson, Örjan, 2018. "Experiences and emotions among private forest owners versus public interests: Why ownership matters," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 801-811.
    4. San, Vibol & Spoann, Vin & Ly, Dalin & Chheng, Ngov Veng, 2012. "Fuelwood consumption patterns in Chumriey Mountain, Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 335-346.
    5. Põllumäe, Priit & Lilleleht, Ando & Korjus, Henn, 2016. "Institutional barriers in forest owners' cooperation: The case of Estonia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 9-16.
    6. D'Agostino, Anthony L. & Urpelainen, Johannes & Xu, Alice, 2015. "Socio-economic determinants of charcoal expenditures in Tanzania: Evidence from panel data," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 472-481.
    7. Mina Baliamoune-Lutz, 2017. "Trade and Environmental Quality in African Countries: Do Institutions Matter?," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 43(1), pages 155-172, January.
    8. repec:osf:socarx:n9dhz_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. van der Kroon, Bianca & Brouwer, Roy & van Beukering, Pieter J.H., 2013. "The energy ladder: Theoretical myth or empirical truth? Results from a meta-analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 504-513.
    10. Hafiz Salami & Kingsley Okpara & Chomsri Choochuay & Techato Kuaanan & David Akeju & Manasseh Shitta, 2025. "Domestic energy consumption, theories, and policies: a systematic review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 5821-5867, March.
    11. Démurger, Sylvie & Fournier, Martin, 2011. "Poverty and firewood consumption: A case study of rural households in northern China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 512-523.
    12. Muradian, Roldan & Cahyafitri, Raras & Ferrando, Tomaso & Grottera, Carolina & Jardim-Wanderley, Luiz & Krause, Torsten & Kurniawan, Nanang I. & Loft, Lasse & Nurshafira, Tadzkia & Prabawati-Suwito, D, 2025. "Will the EU deforestation-free products regulation (EUDR) reduce tropical forest loss? Insights from three producer countries," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    13. Siewers, Samuel & Martínez-Zarzoso, Inmaculada & Baghdadi, Leila, 2024. "Global value chains and firms’ environmental performance," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    14. Augusto Carlos Castro-Nunez & Ma. Eliza J. Villarino & Vincent Bax & Raphael Ganzenmüller & Wendy Francesconi, 2021. "Broadening the Perspective of Zero-Deforestation Interventions in Peru by Incorporating Concepts from the Global Value Chain Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-17, November.
    15. Maes, Wouter H. & Verbist, Bruno, 2012. "Increasing the sustainability of household cooking in developing countries: Policy implications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 4204-4221.
    16. Nelson Villoria & Rachael Garrett & Florian Gollnow & Kimberly Carlson, 2022. "Leakage does not fully offset soy supply-chain efforts to reduce deforestation in Brazil," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    17. van der Kroon, Bianca & Brouwer, Roy & van Beukering, Pieter J.H., 2014. "The impact of the household decision environment on fuel choice behavior," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 236-247.
    18. Holz, Jana Rebecca & Saave, Anna, 2025. "Extractivist valorization in industrial forestry in the Global North – Elements of an analytical framework and illustration for the cases of Finland and Alberta, Canada," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    19. Sutherland, Lee-Ann & Huttunen, Suvi, 2018. "Linking practices of multifunctional forestry to policy objectives: Case studies in Finland and the UK," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 35-44.
    20. Bhattacharjee, Arnab & Aravena, Claudia & Castillo, Natalia & Ehrlich, Marco & Taou, Nadia & Wagner, Thomas, 2022. "Agroforestry Programs in the Colombian Amazon: Selection, Treatment and Exposure Effects on Deforestation," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 537, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    21. Jumbe, Charles B.L. & Angelsen, Arild, 2011. "Modeling choice of fuelwood source among rural households in Malawi: A multinomial probit analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 732-738, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:170:y:2025:i:c:s1389934124002223. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/forpol .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.