Interconnected tree roots symbolizing the integration of ecology and economy in European forests.

Sustainable Forests: How Europe Balances Ecology and Economy

Reese Marlowe in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Navigating the complex landscape of European forest management for a sustainable future."

Global changes in climate, environment, society, economics, and land use are creating unprecedented challenges for sustainable forest resource management, both regionally and locally. Simultaneously, new opportunities are emerging for the wood and forest economy within a science-based and innovative framework across the European Union and Europe as a whole.

Within the EU, the increasing number of forest-related policy instruments complicates decision-making and implementation in forest policy. The existing legal and political frameworks—including the EU Forest Strategy, nature protection directives, renewable energy initiatives, water and climate regulations, and trade agreements—are often complex and sometimes contradictory. The growing importance of legal considerations further complicates efforts to address emerging challenges within the European Union.

In this evolving landscape, organizations like the European Forest Institute (EFI) play a crucial role in bridging the gap between scientific research and policy implementation, ensuring that Europe's forests remain resilient and productive for generations to come.

Bridging Research and Policy: The Role of the European Forest Institute

Interconnected tree roots symbolizing the integration of ecology and economy in European forests.

The increasing complexity of forest-related issues and policies necessitates stronger coordination across sectors, presenting significant challenges for aligning political agendas, research outcomes, and policy implementation. Integrated policy actions are crucial, especially in times of uncertainty and economic crisis, to enhance effectiveness, coherence, and responsiveness while supporting well-informed policy decisions.

European forests encompass a wide variety of ecosystems and species across Mediterranean, temperate, and boreal zones, providing diverse ecological services. These forests face varying impacts from climate change and land use, demanding tailored approaches to promote sustainable and multifunctional forestry across different regions of Europe.

To address these complex challenges, policymakers and stakeholders need access to scientifically sound information and expertise. EFI facilitates this by:

Identifying information needs to promote relevant research for policy.
Enhancing understanding of strategic and multi-sectoral policy areas based on scientific knowledge and experience.
Enriching the science-policy dialogue to develop, formulate, support, and evaluate forest policies, action programs, instruments, and strategies.
Promoting and supporting policy implementation in collaboration with economic, social, and environmental partners.

EFI's support for policymakers relies on close collaboration with its member organizations and European political bodies. Initiatives such as the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) demonstrate EFI's commitment to integrating science into European policy.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Science-Policy Partnerships

The European Forest Institute's diverse activities clearly demonstrate the value of bridging research, policy support, and political dialogue. Building on the success of initiatives like FLEGT and REDD, continued collaboration and the potential creation of new European Union bodies within EFI could further enhance the sustainable management of Europe's forests.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4267/2042/51594, Alternate LINK

Title: De L’Institution De Recherche Au Conseil En Politique Et En Gestion

Subject: Forestry

Journal: Revue Forestière Française

Publisher: Universite de Bordeaux

Authors: Marc Palahí, Helga Pülzl, Heiko Liedeker, Daniel Kraus

Published: 2013-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What role does the European Forest Institute (EFI) play in sustainable forest management in Europe?

The European Forest Institute, or EFI, addresses complex forest management challenges by bridging the gap between scientific research and policy implementation. It identifies information needs, enhances understanding of strategic policy areas, enriches science-policy dialogue, and supports policy implementation. Through collaboration with member organizations and European political bodies, EFI ensures that Europe's forests remain resilient and productive.

Can you provide examples of initiatives where the European Forest Institute (EFI) integrates science into European policy?

The EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) are initiatives demonstrating the European Forest Institute's commitment to integrating scientific research into European policy. FLEGT aims to improve forest governance and legality in timber trade, while REDD focuses on mitigating climate change by reducing deforestation and forest degradation. Both exemplify how EFI translates research into actionable policies for sustainable forest management.

What factors complicate sustainable forest resource management within the European Union?

Several factors complicate sustainable forest management in the European Union. These include global changes in climate, environment, society, and economics, as well as the increasing number of forest-related policy instruments. The existing legal and political frameworks, such as the EU Forest Strategy, nature protection directives, and trade agreements, are often complex and sometimes contradictory. These factors create challenges for decision-making and policy implementation.

Why are integrated policy actions crucial for European forest management?

Integrated policy actions are crucial for European forest management because they enhance effectiveness, coherence, and responsiveness in times of uncertainty and economic crisis. By coordinating across sectors, integrated policies align political agendas, research outcomes, and policy implementation. This approach supports well-informed policy decisions, ensuring that forest management is sustainable and addresses the diverse needs of different regions and ecosystems across Europe.

How might the creation of new European Union bodies within the European Forest Institute enhance sustainable forest management?

The potential creation of new European Union bodies within the European Forest Institute could further enhance the sustainable management of Europe's forests by strengthening science-policy partnerships. Building on the success of initiatives like FLEGT and REDD, these bodies could provide a more direct and integrated approach to bridging research, policy support, and political dialogue. This collaboration could lead to more effective and sustainable forest management practices across Europe.