Communication Aspects in the EU Forest Action Plan

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Communication Aspects in the EU Forest Action Plan

• Ingwald Gschwandtl
• Head of National and International Forest Policy
  - Austria

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Forests in the EU
European Union States 27 People 455
Mio. Area 398 Mio. ha Forests 139 Mio.
ha 35
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Forests in EU Policies
Environment (biodiversity, Natura 2000, forest
fires, air pollution, climate change, soil
protection, e.a.)
Research and Technology
Agriculture (rural development, reproductive
material, genetic resources, protective measures)
European Forests and Forestry Subsidiarity
Development cooperation
Energy (biomass)
Trade (FLEGT)
Industry (competitiveness)
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Forests in EU Instruments and Institutions

• Hard and soft law instruments
• 59 Regulations, Directives, Decisions
• 15 Council Resolutions, Recommendations,
  Conclusions
• 30 Communications, Action Programmes
• Institutions
• 17 Directorates General of the European
  Commission
• 10 Committees
• European Environment Agency,EUROSTAT,ISPRA e. a.

• need for coordination and coherence

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EU Forest Policy Approach

• EU Forest Strategie 1998
• Council Resolution of 15 December 1998
• holistic approach to Sustainable Forest
  Management
• multifunctionality
• coordination and coherence

• Review - Council Conclusions of May 2005 request
  Commission
• to elaborate an Action Plan in consultation with
  Member States and stakeholders

• EU Forest Action Plan 2006
• Communication from the Commission
• to the Council and the European Parliament of 15
  June 2006
• Vision
• Overall principles
• Main Objectives and Key Actions

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EU Forest Action Plan

• Common Vision
• of the Commission and the Member States

Forests for society long-term multifunctional
forestry fulfilling present and future societal
needs and supporting forest-related livelihoods.
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EU Forest Action Plan

• Overall Principles

• national forest programmes for implementing
  international commitments
• increasing importance of global and
  cross-sectoral issues
• need to enhance competitiveness and good
  governance
• subsidiarity

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EU Forest Action Plan
Four Main Objectives 1. Improving long-term
competitiveness 2. Improving and protecting the
environment 3. Contributing to the quality of
life 4. Fostering coordination and communication
18 Key Actions to be implemented by the
European Commission together with the Member
States
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EU Forest Action Plan Objective 1
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EU Forest Action Plan Objective 2
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EU Forest Action Plan Objective 3
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EU Forest Action Plan Objective 4
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EU Forest Action Plan Objective 4
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EU Forest Action Plan - Implementation

• Responsible European Commission and/or Member
  States
• coordinated by Standing Forestry Committee
• Stakeholder envolvement through Advisory
  Committee on Forestry and Cork
• Overall Work Programme 2007 - 2011
• Activities, Leading Actors, Timeframe, Working
  Method/Instrument, Output/Result
• Annual Work Programme of the Standing Forestry
  Committee

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EU Forest Action Plan - Implementation

• Responsible European Commission and/or Member
  States
• coordinated by Standing Forestry Committee
• Stakeholder envolvement through Advisory
  Committee on Forestry and Cork
• Overall Work Programme 2007 - 2011
• Activities, Leading Actors, Timeframe, Working
  Method/Instrument, Output/Result
• Annual Work Programme of the Standing Forestry
  Committee

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EU Forest Action Plan - Implementation

• Overall Work Programme 2007 - 2011
• Activities, Leading Actors, Timeframe, Working
  Method/Instrument, Output/Result
• Forest related environmental education (Forest
  Pedagogics)
• building on work of the FCN
• Forest Communication Strategy for Europe
• building of work of the FCN

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EU Forest Action PlanRelevance for EU Member
States

• more transparency at EU level
• agreed priorities
• clear structure
• Standing Forestry Committee as platform
• designated contact points in the DGs of the
  Commission
• schedule for actions (work programme)
• homework at national level
• relation between EU Forest Action Plan and
• National Forest Programmes?
• coherence of EU objectives and actions
• with national priorities?

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EU Forest Action Plan Objective 4
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Open Method of Coordination

• a new process oriented approach (not regulation
  oriented)
• used in the EU for areas of political concern
  which are
• not regulated by a common EU Policy
• example employment
• Steps to be taken
• high level decision (EU Council) to start process
• agree on common objectives, goals and targets
• implementation through national action plans
• evaluation and sharing of experiences at EU level

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Forest Policy in Europe
European Union States 27 Population 455
Mio. Area 398 Mio. ha Forests 139 Mio.
ha 35 Forest Policy Soft Law within a
legal frame Pan-Europe States
46 Population 723 Mio. Area 2.260 Mio.
ha Forests 1.001 Mio. ha 45 Forest
Policy Soft Law based on political cooperation
no legal obligation, just political commitment
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Thank you!

• Ingwald Gschwandtl
• Head of National and International Forest Policy
  - Austria