Explanation on the table: This template is the Study Part ... · FCS Forest Stewardship Council ......

ANNEXES

Mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the EU Forest

Action Plan Service Contract No. 30-CE-0227729/00-59

By an external evaluation team of

Lead Contractor:

European Forest Institute (EFI)

(Joensuu, Finland and Regional Office EFIMED in Barcelona, Spain)

Torikatu 34, 80100 Joensuu, Finland

Subcontractors:

University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU)

Institut für Wald-, Umwelt- und Ressourcenpolitik

Feistmantelstraβe 4

A-1180 Wien, Austria

Centre Tecnològic Forestal De Catalunya (CTFC)

Ctra. de St. Llorenç de Morunys, Km 2

E-25280 Solsona, Spain

University of Hamburg, Institute for World Forestry (UHH/vTI)

Leuschnerstr. 91

D-21031 Hamburg, Germany

November 2009



ANNEXES

Annex 1: Inventory of the implementation of the EU FAP

Annex 2: Case study “Exchange and assess experiences on

the valuation and marketing of non-wood forest goods and

services (Key Action 3)”

Annex 3: Case study “FAP and SFC role towards EU

compliance with the obligations on climate change

mitigation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol”

Annex 4: Case study “Strengthening policy coordination

between policy areas: EU FAP strengthening co-ordination

within the Commission”

Annex 5: List of themes and topics of new emerging issues

for consideration of the EU FAP in the future

Annex 6: List of materials

ANNEX to the Report of the



Annex 1: Inventory of the implementation of the EU FAP

List of contents:

Introduction 3

List of abbreviations 4

OBJECTIVE 1: Improving long-term competitiveness 7 Key Action 1 Examine the effects of globalisation on the economic viability and

competitiveness of EU forestry 7 Key Action 2 Encourage research and technological development to enhance the

competitiveness of the forest sector 8 Key Action 3 Exchange and assess experiences on the valuation and marketing of non-wood

forest goods and services 10 Key Action 4 Promote the use of forest biomass for energy generation 11 Key Action 5 Foster the cooperation between forest owners and enhance education and training

in forestry 14

OBJECTIVE 2: Improving and protecting the environment 16 Key Action 6 Facilitate EU compliance with the obligations on climate change mitigation of

the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol and encourage adaptation to the effects of

climate change. 16 Key Action 7 Contribute towards achieving the revised Community biodiversity objectives for

2010 and beyond 19 Key Action 8 Work towards a European Forest Monitoring System 22 Key Action 9 Enhance the protection of EU forests 23

OBJECTIVE 3: Contributing to quality of life 28 Key Action 10 Encourage environmental education and information 28 Key Action 11 Maintain and enhance the protective functions of forests 30 Key Action 12 Explore the potential of urban and peri-urban forests 32

OBJECTIVE 4: Fostering coordination and communication 33 Key Action 13 Strengthen the role of the Standing Forestry Committee 33 Key Action 14 Strengthen coordination between policy areas in forest-related matters 34 Key Action 15 Apply the open method of coordination (OMC) to national forest programmes 35 Key Action 16 Strengthen the EU profile in international forest-related processes 35 Key Action 17 Encourage the use of wood and other forest products from sustainably managed

forests 37 Key Action 18 Improve information exchange and communication 39

Mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the EU Forest Action Plan

Annexes of the final report – Annex 1: Inventory of the implementation of the EU FAP 3

Introduction

This Annex provides information on implementation of the EU Forest Action Plan (EU

FAP) Key Actions and activities. The inventory is based on the EU FAP Work Programme

2007-2011, progress reports concluded as part of the SFC annual work programmes 2007-

2009, and the data and information collected in the mid-term evaluation document reviews,

in interviews of the Commission representatives as well as in the Member State responses

to the implementation inventory survey.

In total 24 Member States responded to the inventory survey, and the following table

summarises the responses of the EU Member States excluding Portugal, Malta and

Belgium. Contact to the Member States was made through the Standing Forestry

Committee representatives. In the survey, the Member States were requested to indicate the

status of implementation of the EU FAP Key Actions and activities where the EU FAP

work programme indicates Member States as Leading Actors either on their own or

together with the Commission. The Member States were also requested to specify the most

important measures in their country contributing to achievement of the EU FAP objectives.

The level of detail in the Member States‟ responses varied considerably. Furthermore, a

number of respondents pointed out that it is difficult to indicate activities at the national

level which were implemented specifically due to the EU FAP. Rather, the activities are

ongoing – in many cases, for several years already – and they would also have taken place

without the Action Plan, even though they now contribute to the objectives defined in the

EU FAP. As a consequence, the list of activities in the Member States presented in this

Annex is not exhaustive but rather, gives a sample of activities and types of activities

carried out in the Member States within the objectives of the EU FAP.

The period of analysis for the investigation is from the beginning of the implementation of

the EU FAP (January 2007) up until the mid-term review and the time of data collection

(March 2009). More recent activities in 2009 are presented when they are relevant for the

description. Stakeholder involvement and activities parallel to the EU FAP are included to

extent such references are made in the documents reviewed and in the surveys carried out

for the mid-term evaluation.



List of abbreviations

AC-FBI Advisory Committee on Community Policy regarding Forestry and Forest-based Industries

AFOLU Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Uses (UNFCCC)

AGFC Advisory Group on Forestry and Cork

BENELUX Belgium and the Netherlands and Luxembourg

C&I pan-European Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management (MCPFE)

CADSES Central, Adriatic, Danubian and South-Eastern European Space

CBD Convention on Biological Diversity

CEI-Bois European Confederation of Woodworking Industries

CEPF Confederation of European Forest Owners

CEPI Confederation of European Paper Industries

CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research

CIP-IEE EU‟s Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP): Intelligent Energy Europe

CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

COFO FAO Committee on Forestry

COFORD the National Council for Forest Research and Development (IE)

COP Conference of Parties (UNFCCC)

COP/MOP Meeting of the Parties (Kyoto Protocol)

COPA-COCEGA Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations & General Confederation of Agricultural

Cooperatives in the European Union

COST European Cooperation in Science and Technology

CPF Collaborative Partnership on Forests

DG Directorate General (Commission departments and services):

DG AIDCO EuropeAid Cooperation Office

DG AGRI DG Agriculture and Rural Development

DG COMP DG Competition

DG DEV DG Development

DG EMPL DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

DG ENLARG DG Enlargement

DG ENTR DG Enterprise and Industry

DG ENV DG Environment

DG ESTAT Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union

DG MARKT DG Internal Market and Services

DG REGIO DG Regional Policy

DG RTD DG Research

DG SANCO DG Health and Consumers

DG TRADE DG Trade

DG TREN DG Transport and Energy

JRC Joint Research Centre

SG General Secretariat

EAFRD European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

EEA European Environment Agency

EESC European Economic and Social Committee

EFDAC European Forest Data Centre

EfE Environment for Europe

EFFIS European Forest Fire Information System

EFI European Forest Institute

EFICP European Forest Information and Communication Platform



EFMS European Forest Monitoring System

ELO European Landowners' Organisation

ENFE European Network of Forest Entrepreneurs

ENGREF Ecole Nationale du Génie Rural, des Eaux et des Forêts

EPPO European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization

ERA European Research Area

ERDF European Regional Development Fund

EU FAP EU Forest Action Plan

EUSTAFOR European State Forest Association

FACE Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FBI Forest-based Industries

FCN Forest Communicators‟ Network (UNECE/FAO team of specialists)

FCS Forest Stewardship Council (certification)

FERN an environmental non-governmental organisation

FLEG(T) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance (and Trade)

FP EU‟s Framework Programme for research FP6 / FP7

FRI forest research institute

FTP Forest-based sector Technology Platform

FTP NRA National Research Agenda

FTP SRA Strategic Research Agenda

GHG greenhouse gas

GPP Green Public Procurement

ICP Forests International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects

on Forests

ICP IM International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on

Ecosystems

IFSA International Forestry Students' Association

IIASA International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

IPPC International Plant Protection Convention

ISG Interservice Group (Commission internal body)

ITTO International Tropical Timber Organization

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature

KBBE Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (FP7)

LBA legally binding agreement

LIFE+ Financial Instrument for the Environment

LULUCF Land use, land-use change and forestry (UNFCCC)

MCPFE Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe



MS Member State, EU27 abbreviations:

AT Austria

BE Belgium

BG Bulgaria

CY Cyprus

CZ Czech Republic

DE Germany

DK Denmark

EE Estonia

EL Greece

ES Spain

FI Finland

FR France

HU Hungary

IE Ireland

IT Italy

LT Lithuania

LU Luxembourg

LV Latvia

MT Malta

NL Netherlands

PL Poland

PT Portugal

RO Romania

SE Sweden

SI Slovenia

SK Slovakia

UK United Kingdom

NFP national forest programme

NGO non-governmental organisation

NWFGS Non-wood forest goods and services

OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

OMC Open Method of Coordination

PAWS Pedagogische Arbeit im Wald PAWS project (Pedagogic Work in Forests)

PEBLDS Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy

PEFC Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes

PRO SILVA a European federation of foresters advocating forest management based on natural processes

R&D Research and Development

RES Energy from Renewable Sources

RDP Rural Development Programme

SBSTA Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (UNFCCC)

SEBI 2010 Streamlining European Biodiversity Indicators for 2010

SEE South East Europe

SEIS Shared Environmental Information System

SFC Standing Forestry Committee

SFM Sustainable Forest Management

UN United Nations

UNCCD Convention to Combat Desertification

UNECE United Nations Economic Commission to Europe

UNFCCC Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNFF United Nations Forum on Forests

USSE Union of Foresters of Southern Europe

WG working group

WWF World Wide Fund for Nature



OBJECTIVE 1: Improving long-term competitiveness Target: To improve the long-term competitiveness of the forest sector and to enhance the sustainable use of forest products and services.

No. EU FAP Objectives and targets; Key Actions and activities

Community Level Action (directly FAP related: COM DGs)

Mid-term progress (by March 2009): activities reported by the Member States in the inventory of implementation

Status

Key Action 1 Examine the effects of globalisation on the economic viability and competitiveness of EU forestry Target: Raising awareness of factors affecting competitiveness of forestry in the EU.

Completed

A1.1 Study on the effects of globalisation on the economic viability of EU forestry

Study on effects of globalisation on the economic viability and competitiveness of EU forestry commissioned by DG AGRI published in 2008. Study disseminated, results and follow-up discussed in the SFC and AGFC.

Completed (2007-08)

A1.2 Conference on strengthening competitiveness of forestry

Conference organised by German Presidency in Munich on 20–21 June 2007 “Strengthening the Competitiveness of the forest sector". Results reported to SFC 102nd meeting.

Many Member States (MSs) report activities for raising awareness of factors affecting competitiveness of forestry in the EU: 13 MSs activity carried out or in progress and 4 MSs activity in planning (ES, IT, RO, SK). 6 MSs indicate this activity is not on their agenda: BG, CY, EL, HU, LU, SI (no information for AT)

Completed 2007

Member States’ activities in relation to Key Action 1: - CZ: to include in the next NFP in 2013 more comprehensively economic aspects of forest sector (innovation, technology, markets) - DE: further work on national action programme Charta for Wood (2003); start preparation for new comprehensive forest strategy; preparations for an initiative 2009

towards EU Charta for wood (recommended in the outcome of EU Conference on Competitiveness 2007 in Munich) – procedure and timeframe to be discussed within EU - DK: guidelines on public procurement on timber revised in summer 2009, follow up on ministers plan for public procurement of legal and sustainable wood 2006. The State

Forests certified by FSC and PEFC June 2007 - FI: economic viability of the sector addressed in the NFP 2015 and numerous related studies - FR: Forest Assembly 11/2007-1/2008 and Grenelle de l'Environnement (ongoing since the fall 2007 with one of the 33 specific committees dedicated to forestry), have

permitted to place forest and the forest-based sector at the heart of sustainable development, especially concerning construction and renewable energies. Lots of workgroups with more than 120 participants have given a sincere overview of the strengths and weaknesses of this economic sector.

- IE: participation in UNECE Timber Committee processes and communication of results to forest industry through the COFORD council and through COFORD - LV: participation in discussion on draft regulation laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market - SK: analyzing the results of national research project on the impacts of the quality of natural resources, labour and capital on competitiveness of forestry enterprises. The

research results are going to be communicated to stakeholders.

Stakeholder involvement: in 1.1, 1.2 and through AGFC in general



No. EU FAP Objectives and targets;

Key Actions and activities Community Level Action (directly FAP related: COM DGs)


Status

Key Action 2 Encourage research and technological development to enhance the competitiveness of the forest sector Target: Developing the forest sector more dynamic, with a strong emphasis on R&D

Ongoing

A2.1 Support forest-based sector research and technological development

Framework Programme 7 (FP7) calls for projects; Forest-based sector Technology Platform; internal JRC research; SFC opinion on FP7 calls and regular exchange within Commission through ISG and interservice consultation. FP7 and its calls refer to FAP. Good representation of forestry/forest sector issues in FP7 calls in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Ongoing 2007-2011

A2.2 Exploring the possibilities of better coordination and communication on forest-based sector research

Conference organised by DG RTD in relation to FTP event in Slovenia 2008 “Forest Governance and the Role of Forestry Research”. Conference report and recommendations reported to SFC and AGFC. SFC opinions on FP7 calls and regular exchange within Commission through ISG.

Completed 2007-08

A2.3 Forest-based Technology Platform (FTP) Strategic Research Agenda (SRA)

Development of Forest-based sector Technology Platform (FTP) was supported by DG AGRI, DG RTD and DG ENTR. Conference on FTP Strategic Research Agenda (FTP SRA), Hannover, Germany, in May 2007 and other conferences during the presidencies (in 2006 in Austria and Finland, 2008 in Slovenia)

FTP SRA and altogether 17 National Research Agendas (NRA) completed, and a few NRAs under development (as to April 29, 2009). According to www.forestplatform.org the NRAs have completed in the following Member States (MSs): AT, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, IE, IT, LT, LV, SE, SI, UK MS report active support for FTP SRA (NRAs): activity carried out/in progress in 20 MSs and in planning in CZ. FTP-SRA/NRA is not on the agenda in CY, EL, LU. Member States report following support of and involvement in NRAs: - BG: National FTP group established and in a process of elaboration of

project proposals. - DK: new research agenda for the Danish Forest Based Sector (2007),

Forest & Landscape, Life, Copenhagen University. - EE: National Support Group of FTP established May 2007 and "NRA –

Estonian Forest Sector Research and Development Strategy 2008-2013" compiled

- FI: NFP 2015; The Finnish Forest cluster outlined the NRA (new innovation company Forestcluster ltd as a strategic centre for science, technology and innovation)

- IE: Strategic Research Agenda for the Irish Forest-based sector completed, Irish National Support Group for FTP established, and

Presidencies 2007 –

(FTP activities ongoing)



national funding of forest R&D by COFORD. Enterprise Ireland and other agencies are involved in Woodwisdom ERA-net and in FP7 projects.

- IT: SRA for Italian research on forestry; support by CRA and Federlegno Arredo. Initiatives launched June 2008

- LT: National Forest-based sector Technology Platform program in 2004; national support group to FTP since 2005. Agreement of the partnership between the major forest industry associations, academic and business sector representatives, regarding establishment of National Forest-based sector Technology Platforms.

- LV: participation in annual FTP conferences, working groups. National support group for FTP established. LV planning to participate in ERA-Net Wood Wisdom.

- RO: activities of Romanian FTP and the National support Group since establishing conference July 2008

- SK: draft NRA was elaborated by the National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute in Zvolen in Feb.2009. At the moment, the draft is a subject of discussions with relevant stakeholders at a national level.

Additional Member States’ activities in relation to Key Action 2: - HU: Reorganisation of the Forest Research Institute is ongoing and new priorities are set including research to improve the competitiveness of forestry. Special research

program on tree plantations will get a higher attention in the future. Reorganisation in 2009, research program is at least for 5 years. - IE: Call for proposals issued in 2005, 2006 and 2007 seeking innovative projects to enhance the overall value of the sector in Ireland. Many innovative and valuable pilot

projects received funding. Projects ranged from the creation of producer groups particularly targeting the wood energy market, to tackling the grey squirrel problem and an innovative Model Timber Sales system.

- NL: 'Vision on the timber harvest' (2005), in cooperation with the timber companies. The competitiveness of the Forest sector is an important part of that vision. The forest sector has worked out a working program for Biomass from Nature, Forest, Landscape and Timber.

- SK: Establishment of two centres of excellence, dealing with special forestry topics, represents a significant contribution in the field of research and development to the implementation of the key action 2: centre of excellence for biological methods of forest protection (National Forest Centre in Zvolen), centre of excellence for adaptation of forest ecosystems (Technical University of Zvolen).

Stakeholder involvement: - regular involvement through AGFC; - FTP is a generic stakeholder activity, the EU FAP has only supporting role for FTP and its Strategic Research Agenda and the National Research Agendas. - FTP organised the conference "Development of the forest-based sector in Eastern Europe" in May 2008 in Kranska Gora, Slovenia, back-to-back with the conference “Forest Governance and the Role of Forestry Research” (A2.2)






Status

Key Action 3 Exchange and assess experiences on the valuation and marketing of non-wood forest goods and services Target: To answer to needs of society and produce services based on sustainable forestry

Ongoing

A3.1 Carry out studies and pilot projects on valuation, compensation and innovative marketing of non-wood forest goods and services, including methodologies

Study on the development and marketing of non-market forest products and services in the EU (FORVALUE study) commissioned by DG AGRI: study report published in March 2009. Study on "Economic value of groundwater and biodiversity in European forests" commissioned by DG ENV (2008) FP7 call 2009 topics “Developing new methods for valuing and marketing currently non-marketable forest functions, goods and services” and related topics e.g. “Assessment of economic instruments to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity” ERA-net BiodivERsA project “Beech forests for the future” planned to be started in 2009

Member States (MSs) carry out studies and activities in Key Action 3 themes: activity carried out / in progress in 18 Ms. Activity in planning in BG, CY, CZ, HU. Not on the agenda in NL. (no information for EL) Member States report the following activities: - AT: study (Potenzialabschätzung von Nichtholzprodu kten und

forstlichen Dienstleistungen in Österreich); and an initiative on protective function of forests

- CY: studies on valuation of NWFGSs are planned to be conducted during the next revision (2010) of the action plan of the NFP

- DK: Forest & Landscape Life, Copenhagen University project "Valuation and compensation methods for non-wood forest goods and services", 2006-08; expert participation in SFC ad hoc WG

- ES: regional project for forest value, and the next phase is to extend it to the whole country by 2010

- FI: one of the priorities in NFP 2015; "Welfare effects of forests" research programme (2008-12) by Finnish Forest Research Institute; Forest Biodiversity Action Programme for Southern Finland “METSO” 2008-2016

- FR: valuation of environmental services – activities linked to carbon sequestration rights

- HU: Within the frame of the rationalisation of the structure of the state owned forest companies a special study on valuation of non-wood forest products and services is foreseen in 2009-2010.

- IE: e.g. COFORD R&D programme on non-wood forest products. - IT: several pilot projects and initiatives on the use of non-timber

forest products, Seminar by University of Padova in March 2009 - LT: studies (Ministry of Environment and Forest Research Institute

FRI) and methodology on valuation and compensation. Innovative marketing of non-wood forest goods and services: Evaluation of economical and social forest functions (FRI 2007); Draft of Rules for preparation and use of secondary forest goods and Valuation methodology (1992)

- SK: a research project focusing on identification, valuation, compensation and innovative marketing of forest functions (forest goods and services); Research, classification and implementation of forest functions; Evaluation of non-wood forest functions and

Ongoing 2007-2011

A3.2 Examining ongoing activities and lessons learned on compensation for and valuation of non-wood forest good and services, and identification of possible constraints

Ad hoc working group of the SFC "Valuation and compensation methods of non-wood forest goods and services" 2007-2008: SFC WG report (2008) and SFC opinion (2009); WG report and SFC opinion distributed to SFC, AGFC; Exchange of experiences from different countries in the SFC WG1, included in WG report (only countries represented in the WG); Assessment on country situations (whole EU) included in FORVALUE study

WG Completed

2007-08



services; Valuation of outdoor recreation in forests; Valuation of non-wood forest functions: forest berries and mushrooms; Research of efficient use of environmental, economic and social potential of forests in Slovakia

Additional Member States’ activities in relation to Key Action 3: - EE: Action Plan “Forest Diversified Use” with objectives for production of non-wood goods, cultural heritage and recreation. - IE: Organisation of workshops and seminars by COFORD on non-wood forest products, publication of Markets for Non-wood Forest Products and Forest Fungi in Ireland,

establishment of Forest Fungi Working Group. - LU: instead of studies, organisation of seminars on possible options and awareness raising for non-market forest goods and services - LV: compensation to forest owners due to tree felling restrictions. One option is RDP measure - Natura 2000 payments for forest owners and other opportunity is national

payment for tree felling restriction in specially protected nature territories. - RO: studies about due sums to compensating for forest owners holding forests with special protection functions. A new proposal for a regulation is under supervision for

extending the applicability of the act to legal persons and local council forest owners.

Stakeholder involvement: regular involvement in SFC, WG and the study; AGFC informed Forest owners organisation CEPF was involved as a practice partner in the study but the study results are not prominently placed on CEPF website. EFI has co-organised studies about NWFGS.




Status

Key Action 4 Promote the use of forest biomass for energy generation Target: To mitigate climate change by substituting fossil fuel, improving energy self-sufficiency, enhancing security of supply and providing job opportunities in rural areas

Ongoing

A4.1 Improve the mobilisation and efficient use of wood and wood residues, including low-value timber

SFC ad hoc working group on “Mobilisation and efficient use of wood and wood residues for energy generation” in 2007-2008: WG report (2008) and SFC opinion (2009). Follow-up in FAP activity 5.2 i.e. the fragmentation study JRC internal research: high-spatial resolution forest map covering all EU MSs; a report on EU Forest-based biomass for energy: cost/supply relations and constraints, resulting from the workshop held on the same topic in September 2007. Forest-based industries: AC-FBI Working Group (2005-07) report on “The interaction of EU renewable energy policies and the forest based sector” Intelligent Energy for Europe (CIP-IEE) tender “Real potential for changes in growth and use of EU forests” (EUwood) October 2008

Member States’ (MS) activities (incl. e.g. National Biomass Action Plan): activity carried out or in progress in 19 MS. Activity in planning in BG, EL, HU and PL. Activity not on agenda in CY. Member States report the following activities: - AT: study on potential supply of woody biomass - CZ: National Biomass Action Plan; NFP includes independent actions

on the promotion and supporting of biomass - EE: NFP promotes the use of biomass and bioenergy - EL: planning in cooperation with the Centre for Renewable Energy

Resources to assess the volume of the biomass produced in the forests and available for energy generation (preliminary results at the end of 2009).

- FI: targets and measures for the use of forest biomass for energy production; Bio-energy research programme

- FR: Forest Assembly 11/2007-1/2008 and its working groups - IE: funds for demonstration programme focussing on mobilisation of

wood energy from forests; targets for wood energy; organisation of workshops, seminars, conferences and website on the promotion of wood energy

- IT: several local initiatives to support production and use of bioenergy

Completed 2007-08



DG TREN study on "Sustainability Criteria and Certification Systems for Biomass Production" RES Directive (DG TREN) and a template for the MSs for their development of National Action Plans (June 2009). Commission follow-up of the MCPFE WG on sustainability criteria for biomass production

- LT: National Energy Strategy approved; operational objectives for biomass production

- LU: promotion of wood as construction material in buildings - LV: studies related to wood for energy production; National Biomass

Action Plan is planned - RO: promotion system for energy production from renewable

resources; Biomass Plan prepared with support of the Agency for Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Economic Affairs from the Netherlands

- SI: implementation of the FAO study WISDOM on woodfuel production; RDP support for agricultural and forestry products and investments on the wood processing and marketing

- SK: strategy for the use of renewable energy sources adopted; National Biomass Action Plan adopted; funds for biomass research as a part of Rural Development Programme

A4.2 Developing cooperation methods and mechanisms between forest owners in energy markets

Pilot study (commissioned by DG ENV): a demonstration / communication action carried out on developing cooperation methods and mechanisms between forest owners in the energy markets EUROFORENET, incl. conference 2007 Briefing of SFC (2008) on Commission participation in the work of the MCPFE ad hoc working group, among other issues also exploring the issue of sustainability criteria for forest biomass in the energy sector (DG TREN)

Developing cooperation methods are either carried out or in progress in 12 Member States, in planning in CZ, ES, HU, LT, LV and SK; not on the agenda in BG, CY, EL, PL and RO (no information for DK) Member States report the following activities: - DE: national action program that includes biomass mobilization,

knowledge transfer, technological barriers, enabling legal framework and investment support

- ES: some pilot and demonstrative projects carried out and ongoing, and Strategy for Energy use of forest residual biomass is under preparation by the end of 2009

- FR: Different initiatives from the sector (forest cooperatives or forest municipalities) are ongoing in order to structure the local wood-energy supply chains.

- SE: project with aim of increasing wood mobilization through education, advice and demonstration activities

Completed 2007

A4.3 Support research and development of technologies for the production of heat, cooling, electricity and fuels from forest resources, and encourage the implementation of Strategic Research Agendas of the F-BS Technology Platform and the Biofuel Technology Platform

FP7 2007 call relevant topics: new forest based products and processes; BIOREFINERY biotechnology for the conversion of biomass ands waste into value-added products; Lingnocellulosic enzymes; Energy plants JRC internal research Topics included in also in FTP SRAs and NRAs as well as in Biofuels Technology Platform

Ongoing 2007-2011



A4.4 Analyse how implementation of Key

Action 4 is supported by rural development programmes in individual MSs

[ Activity forthcoming 2011 ] Report on implementation of Forestry Measures under the Rural Development Regulation 1698/2005 for the period 2007-2013 by DG AGRI published in 2009 also addresses the topic bio-energy. Parallel: The Health Check of the Common Agricultural Policy (2008) identified climate change, bioenergy, biodiversity and water management as new challenges for EU agriculture and forestry

Several Member States plan to utilise EAFRD resources in rural development programmes for promoting the use of forest biomass for energy generation: activity carried out/in progress in 17 countries, in planning in CZ. Not on the agenda of BG, CY, DE, IE and LU. Member States reported the following activities: - DK: Aid applicable for investment and demonstration projects in the

Danish RDP regarding local business development. - EE: Estonian development programme for promotion and usage of

biomass and bioenergy 2007-2013 forms a national policy framework for promoting the use of forest biomass for energy generation. Different support measures are available through Estonian Rural Development Plan 2007- 2013.

- FR: Beyond subsidies of 123B measure which can be activated for the mechanization of wood mobilization, one of the work group of the rural network (obj 4) is dedicated to the valorisation of woods from rural forests.

- HU: Subsidies to establish short rotation tree plantations are provided within the frame of EAFRD until 2013.

- IT: several local initiatives to support production and use of bioenergy, supported mainly by RDPs (20 regions) and linked to the National Plan on Biofuels (Probio) agreed in 2000

- LT: National Energy Strategy (1999; update every five years, last update in 2007) with one of the strategic objectives to strive for a share of renewable energy recourses of up to 20 % of the total primary energy balance by 2025. Operational objectives for biomass production are formulated in RDP 2007-2013.

- LV: two measures in RDP 2007-2013 related to energy from biomass (including forest biomass): Production of energy from biomass which is of an agricultural or forestry origin, and; a submeasure Production of fuel derived from agricultural and forestry produce under the measure Support for creation and development of microenterprises.

- SE: a project on bioenergy and compensation measures through capacity building for forest owners and entrepreneurs aiming for bioenergy generation

- RO: modernising agricultural holdings and bioenergy generation under rural development plan

Ongoing (in work

programme 2011)

Additional Member States’ activities related to Key Action 4, e.g. : - LU: Activities under key action 4 take place within an Interreg IVA project "Regiowood" (2009-2011) (budget: total EUR 4.8 million). - DK: The governments’ energy agreement from 2008, amongst other issues targets biomass for energy production to increase it with up till 700.000 tonnes in 2011 – an

increase in the total renewable energy equivalents of 1.2 pct. The governments’ former and new energy technological research and development programme from 2009, cf. http://www.ens.dk/sw15736.asp



- IE: Funding of COFORD Forest Energy R&D and demonstration programme focussing on mobilisation of wood energy from forests, Government White Paper on Energy,

which includes targets for wood energy, establishment of the Renewable Energy Development Group by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, with input from COFORD and the Forest Service, Forest Service grants for wood energy harvesting machinery, COFORD workshops on wood energy, the woodenergy.ie website and advisory service, development of wood fuel quality testing service (in conjunction with Sustainable Energy Ireland), seminars and conferences outlining good practice in development of wood fuel supply chains, wood fuel combustion and fuel quality.

- NL: the Netherlands has established a 'Vision on Biobased Economy'. It is a part of the program "Clean and Sparing", which has the ambition to reduce C02-emission of 30% in 2020 compared to 1990.

Parallel activities: ENERSILVA project: cooperation financed in an INTERREG programme (ERDF) and six regions in Portugal and France participating with the aim to make biomass more dynamic

Stakeholder involvement: regular involvement in AGFC meetings, in SFC ad hoc WG2 (wood mobilisation). CEPF Cooperatives Working Group has developed a Wood Mobilisation Action Plan (Draft ref. website, April 2009). MCPFE “Workshop on Strategies for increased mobilisation of wood resources from sustainable sources”, 16-18 June, 2009 in Grenoble, France. The industries (CEPI and CEPF together) followed on activity 4.1 and developed and ranked 33 measures as a guidance for policy-makers (presented at the Grenoble workshop in June 2009)




Status

Key Action 5 Foster the cooperation between forest owners and enhance education and training in forestry Target: Investment in job quality and human capital

Ongoing

A5.1 To survey MS activities on support for: - vocational training and education of forest owners and forest workers - development of advisory services for forest owners and their associations - environmental awareness of forest owners and workers

The Report on Implementation of Forestry Measures under the Rural Development Regulation 1698/2005 for the period 2007-2013 by DG AGRI published in 2009 (incl. measures vocation training, and advisory services) Parallel activities [DG ENTR] Forest-based industries: AC-FBI Working Group (2001-07) on “The enhanced Use of Wood”, EU27 survey (2005-06) on education, training and skills in and around the EU woodworking sector and its follow-up workshop (2007)

Member States report activities in relation to forest owners and workers: - vocational training: carried out/progress 19 MS; CY in planning, not

on the agenda ES and NL (no information for DK, EL) - advisory services: 23 MS carried out/in progress, EL in planning - environmental awareness: carried out / in progress in 17 MS; in

planning in BG, DE and SK; not on the agenda in CY (no information for EL, ES, FR)

Example of reported activities: - BG: Vocational training and education of forest owners and forest

workers take place since 2001 with the help of GTZ-project, where annually 6-7 seminars have been organized; New separate department dealing with non-state forest owners established in 2008; Life+ project for forest pedagogics is under approval.

- CY: actions on vocational training and on the development of advisory services in the RDP 2007-2013

- CZ: education of forest owners and workers; regional cooperation to support small forest owner associations

- EE: supporting measures to advising and training of private forest owners and agricultural advisers in the area of forest management; forestry-related joint activities of private forest owners.

- EL: establishment of advisory services for forest owners planned under the Rural Development Programme.

- FI: NFP 2015 number of graduates on all levels of education in forest

(work

programme 2008)



management, bioenergy, wood and paper industry reflects the recruitment needs; (outlook studies incl. employment and training)

- IE: free advisory and training service for landowners - LV: vocational training and development of advisory services under

Rural Development Programme - RO: authorized training centres, and organisation of information

material for forest owners and hunters - SK: advisory system for forestry

A5.2 Study on the market supply of wood and other forest products, in particular on obstacles to mobilisation due to fragmented ownership structures

Call for tenders in 2009 for a study "Prospects for market supply from fragmented forest structures” (report forthcoming in 2010)

Ongoing 2009

A5.3 Exchange of experiences on cooperation methods of private forest owner's organisations

[ CEPF report "European Forest Owner Organisations – Forest Owner Cooperation " presented at SFC meeting May, 2009 ]

2009

Additional Member States’ activities in relation to the Key Action 5: - BG: EBRD project to support the structural reform of the state forest administration (includes the whole forestry sector); Phare Twinning Light project for strenghtening the

administrative capacity of State forest administration in compliance of all EU documents related to sustainable, multifunctional and close-to-nature forest management - DE: Germany’s Round Table in the National Forest Program aims at including more stakeholders; Germany distributes advisory leaflet for landowners and exchange of

experiences among forest owners in the framework of the national campaign on strengthening competitiveness of forest groupings. - IR: Creation of “Woodspec manual” website and advisory service to promote the use of wood products; GROWFOR forest modelling and valuation system and advisory

service aimed at forest valuation and improved management of resources; Model timber sales system for privately owned forests; Dublin Mountains Partnership, promoting and marketing recreational use of public forests in the Dublin mountains; Hardwood Matters – a web-based buy and sell system for private owners and buyers of hardwood timber

Stakeholder involvement: Regular involvement in AGFC meetings, SFC ad-hoc WG2 (wood mobilisation) and study on fragmentation of forest ownership. There are also several other studies on wood mobilisation by the stakeholder organisations, e.g. CEPI study and the summary report by the UNECE/FAO Timber section, “Potential Sustainable Wood Supply in Europe”; CEPF report "European Forest Owner Organisations – Forest Owner Cooperation: Main figures, aims and goals"; Wood Mobilisation Action Plan Draft by CEPF Stakeholders have produced statements and opinions on the topic. They have also been active in events, e.g. in Geneva Jan. 2007 workshop on wood mobilisation organised by FAO, UNECE, MCPFE, EFI and CEPI; MCPFE “Workshop on Strategies for increased mobilisation of wood resources from sustainable sources”, 16-18 June, Grenoble, France by MCPFE, UNECE, EFI, CEPI, CEPF, COPA-COGECA, ENFE, EUSTAFOR



OBJECTIVE 2: Improving and protecting the environment Target: To maintain and appropriately enhance biodiversity, carbon sequestration, integrity, health and resilience of forest ecosystems at multiple geographical scales.

No. FAP Objectives and targets; Key Actions and activities


Mid-term progress (by March 2009) as reported by MS Status

Key Action 6 Facilitate EU compliance with the obligations on climate change mitigation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol and encourage adaptation to the effects of climate change.

A6.1 Examine how to respond in a more coordinated way to the obligations of Articles 3.3 and 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol

Debriefing to SFC on UNFCCC meetings (UNFCCC SBSTA Bonn May 2007, COP 13 Bali December 2007, COP 14 Poznan December 2008) Life+ call for proposals July 2008 SFC ad hoc WG on Climate Change and Forestry (2009- ) Parallel: EU Climate Action and Renewable Energy Package 2008

Member States (MS) report this activity carried out / ongoing in 16 MS and in planning in RO. Not on the agenda in BG, CY, DE, DK and LU (no information for AT, FR) E.g. following activities are reported by MSs for improving coordination: - EE: Continuous joint efforts are made to improve the forest related

elements on reporting within the cooperation of the Ministry of the Environment, Estonian Environment Information Centre, Tallinn University of Technology and the Centre of Forest Protection and Silviculture, who is responsible for further development of sample-plot based National Forest Inventory to incorporate the data-needs of international and domestic data-users

- FI: Active participation in the international climate negotiations - IT: Joint establishment by the Ministry of Environment and the State

Forest Service of the National Register of Agri-forest Carbon sinks linked to the National Forest Inventory

- SE: active involvement in the EU-level climate negotiations. The Ministry of Agriculture participates through experts seconded to the Ministry of Environment (i.e. the lead actor in climate negotiations on behalf of Sweden).

Ongoing 2008-2010

A6.2 Increase the effectiveness of the discussions on climate change mitigation and adaptation by facilitating exchanges between the SFC and the EU sinks experts group

Debriefing of SFC on UNFCCC meetings Member States report this activity ongoing in 17 MS and not on the agenda in BG, DK, EL, LU, RO, SI (no information for FR). Participation in the sinks expert group specifically mentioned only by EL.

Ongoing 2007-2011

A6.3 Carry out a study and other relevant scientific projects on impacts of climate change on forestry and on adaptation of forestry to climate change

Study on impacts of climate change on European forests and options for adaptation (commissioned by DG AGRI) published in 2009 Scientific projects: Calls for projects in FP7 FP7-KBBE-2008-1-2-06 Forecasting forest diversity under the influence of climatic changes and the consequences for stability

Ongoing 2007-09



and productivity of forest ecosystems FTP7-KBBE-2009-1-2-08 Assessing and reducing vulnerability of European forests to climate change and the consequences for industrial and societal needs – SICA (Russia)

A6.4 MS reporting on their activities to: − raise awareness on the impacts of climate change on forestry − address the impacts of climate change on forestry − promote climate change mitigation and adaptation

SFC WG on climate change and forestry (2009- ) Informal meeting of EU Environment Ministers under the Slovenian Presidency: Forest biodiversity as a challenge and opportunity for climate change adaptation and mitigation, April 2008.

Member States report several activities: - BG: The participation in the establishment of different EU systems

and centres is conducted within the agreed framework and meetings executed.

- CY: raising awareness is included in relevant plan of activities; studies have been decided to be made on Impacts of climate change and on adaptation of forests.

- CZ: key action "To alleviate impacts of expected global climate change and extreme meteorological phenomena" in the 2nd NFP.

- DK: Forest Day 3, high level side event at COP 15 Climate Conference in Copenhagen December 2009, Schools are in 2009 planting trees as a contribution to the international campaign in 2009 "Replant the Planet", development of new teaching material for schools in 2009 regarding forest and climate, the Danish network "Forest in Schools" is participating in the international campaign "Learn About Forests" targeting education of school children, etc. Information and pilot projects regarding Close-to-Nature Forestry and a long term Action Plan for Close-to-Nature Forestry in the Danish State Forests.

- EE: Forestry information regularly distributed by extension and consultation services, in public events like “Forest Week” and via media

- EL: leaflet (forthcoming) on climate change, disseminated to raise awareness; addressing impacts through Life+ projects

- FI: Activities have been integrated in Finland's NFP 2015 and are fully consistent with the National Climate and Energy Strategy.

- FR: conference on March 2006 in Paris (ENGREF):”Climate Change and Forest Genetic Diversity: consequences on forest sustainable management in Europe”, Report Lerat-Bourgau: Adaptation of forest management in Europe (May 2007), evaluation of the consequences of climate change on forest management and recommendations for the MAP, Report Roman-Amat (R&D programme, creation of mixed technological network, forest genetic resources...), national Commission for the conservation of forest genetic resources, forest research community working in the context of anticipating the consequences of climate change on forests in order to define a national adaptation strategy, storm recovery plans after storms to recover damaged forests to reactivate their Carbon sink function,

Ongoing 2009-2011



wood mobilization and silviculture to increase production and use of wood instead of fossil fuels and Carbon stock capacity of young stands, establishing a diagnostic of the risks and adaptation capacities of French forests and to prepare a national adaptation strategy (2010)

- HU: To increase carbon sequestration, afforestation is supported and encouraged in the frame of EAFRD untill 2013.

- LT: In 2007 the Ministry of Environment has contracted Forest Research Insitute to prepare special study addressing the impacts of climate change on forestry. Results will be presented for the Ministry of Environment in 2009 and results will influence future policy on climate change.

- LU: Revision of conditions for forest plantation subsidies in relation to climate change.

- RO: Climate change mitigation is carried out by promoting and supporting afforestation of agricultural and degraded land and developing forest belts systems, especially in the plain and plateau areas with low forest cover, including through the National Program for Rural Development

- SE: The Swedish Forest Agency is developing a large-scale information campaign to brief forest owners on the effects of climate change and possible strategies for adaptation.

- SI: Strategy for adaptation of Slovenian agriculture and forestry to climate change was adopted by Slovenian Government, 18.6.2008. Action plan for the implementaion of Strategy is under prepation.

- SK: Adoption of the National Forest Programme and its Action Plan by the Government of the Slovak Republic. The Action Plan includes measures that aim, inter alia, at adapting structure of forest stands to expected climate change and its consequences by means of adaptation measures.

Additional Member States’ activities in relation to Key Action 6: - BG: Participation in the finalized projects (in 2008) under INTERREG III B/CADSES MONITOR and MONITOR – INTERREG III C/EU for mapping of the risk for occurrance of

natural hazards, risk assessment, monitoring and reporting and mountain forests. - DK: National long term target in the NFP 2002 of doubling the afforested area, cf. http://www.skovognatur.dk/Udgivelser/Tidligere/2002/forestprogram.htm - EE: Improving the Quality of Estonia`s GHG Inventory, joint efforts to improve forest related elements in reporting within the cooperation of the Ministry of the

Environment, Estonian Environment Information Centre, Tallinn University of Technology and the Centre of Forest Protection and Silviculture - ES: Life+ project “BOSCOS” (Consell Insular de Menorca), the project aims to contribute to the adaptation of the Mediterranean forest ecosystems of Menorca to climate

change through sustainable forest management at estate level. - FI: Life + project “VACCIA” (Finnish Environment Institute) 2009-2011. This project will develop a vulnerability assessment of ecosystem services for climate change impacts

and adaptation. -Research programme "Functioning of forest ecosystems and use of forest resources in changing climate, 2007–2011 (Finnish Forest Research institute). The programme produces information in support of the greenhouse gas reporting dealing with forests, for Finland’s National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change, IPCC and the National Forest Programme and the Climate Change Adaptation Research Programme 2006–2010, FI has also been very active in the international climate negotiations, especially when it comes to forest issues



- HU participate the meetings organised by JRC; and reports an ongoing discussion on responsibilities of reporting, procedures and methods between the Min. of Environment

and Min. of Agriculture. Based on the final agreement LULUCF reporting will be developed and prepared by January 2010. - IE: COFORD is co-ordinating 5 forest and climate change research projects under CLI-MIT Research Programme; CARBIFOR II (information to determine the influence of

distrurbance, land-use change, soil type and forest age on carbon budgets that are relevant to the reporting LULUCF activities under the Kyoto Protocol and UNFCCC); CARBWARE (tools and systems for reporting on forest carbon stocks and stock change under the Kyoto Protocol and the UNFCCC); CLIMADAPT (use of Ecological Site Classification in adapting forests and their management of Climate Change); FORESTSOILC (soil carbon stock changes and greenhouse gas fluxes in Irish Forests); WOODCARB (carbon stocks and carbon changes in harvested wood products).

- LV: research project ‘Reaction capability of Latvia's forestry on potential climate changes in Europe’. - RO: research projects: on the establishment and management of the National Phenology Network as support for climate change assessment and its impact on forests (2006-

08); Assessment and monitoring of environmental global changes on forest ecosystems; reconstruction / conservation of biodiversity for forest ecological reconstruction. (2006-10)

- SI: LULUCF reporting part of the national reporting system coordinated by ARSO (National Environmental Agency) and MOP, several research projects supporting the efforts to improve forest related elements of reporting LULUCF. efforts to improve forest related elements of the reporting on In the period 2007/08 (08: first half of the year) Slovenian experts were actively participating at the EU EG LULUCF meetings (informal exchange of information between SFC and LULUCF representatives)

- SK: research projects e.g. "Impacts of climate change on forests in Slovakia" (2004-2008). Special attention was paid to the investigation of forest-based adaptation and mitigation measures; EU FP6 project “CECILIA" Central and Eastern Europe Climate Change Impact and Vulnerability Assessment 2006-09

Parallel activities to Key Action 6, e.g.: - FP7 project CCTAME, Climate change – terrestrial adaptation and mitigation in Europe (AT, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, SK, UK and JRC) - FutMon project (Life+), 2009-2013 with partners from 24 MSs: AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, NL, PL, RO, SE, SI, SK, UK - INTERREG IVB project ForeStClim 2008-2012, Transnational Forestry Management Strategies in Response to regional Climate Change Impacts (DE, FR, LU, NL, UK ) - INTERREG IVC project FUTUREforest launched 2009-2011 using innovation in the environment to prepare the forest of Europe for climate change and contribute towards

carbon sequestration and reducing natural hazards (BG, DE, ES, FR, LV, SK, UK) - Relevant COST-Projects e.g. FP0703 Expected Climate Change and Options for European Silviculture (ECHOES); FP0903 Climate Change and Forest Mitigation and

Adaptation in a Polluted Environment

Stakeholder involvement: Regular involvement in AGFC meetings, participation in SFC ad-hoc WG climate change (2009-) Information campaigns etc. by the stakeholders to raise awareness of role of the forest-based sector in climate change mitigation and adaptation. E.g. the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) exploratory opinion adopted in March 2009 underlining the importance of forests in the fight against climate change



Mid-term progress (by March 2009) as reported by MSs Status

Key Action 7 Contribute towards achieving the revised Community biodiversity objectives for 2010 and beyond Target

A7.1 Exchange experiences on implementation of Natura 2000 in forest areas

Two SFC sessions in 2008 with - report on exchange of experiences on application of national methods for nature conservation (representatives of SE, FI and AT presented innovative methods for nature conservation) - presentation and discussion of the state-of-the-play of MS and Commission reports according to Article 17 of the Habitats Directive – article 17 material reporting

Member States (MS) report this activity carried out / ongoing in 17 MS and in planning in BG, FI, LU and IT. Not on agenda in NL (no information for AT and EL).

- EE: Management of Nature 2000 sites; project together with Spain - FR: ATEN Atelier Technique des Espaces Naturels / Technical

Workshop on Natural Spaces with objective to foster information sharing on the implementation and management of Natura2000 areas (all ecosystems including forest).

- IT: TAIEX meeting Antalya Jan.2009 on Nature2000 experiences in the

2008-09



consultation on the conservation of habitats and species Commission synthesis reports on forest habitats in Natura 2000 to be made based on MS contributions was discussed in SFC 2008-2009 (by 2009 eleven MS have contributed to the report). Forthcoming: SFC and Habitat committee joint meeting (prep.2009) Forthcoming 2009: Opinion of the SFC on implementation of Natura 2000 in forest areas.

field of forestry. IT reports that also several groups and NGOs lead initiatives supporting the Objective 2 and spreading information to the public and professionals, e.g. WWF/Birdlife seminar in Rome, April 2009 in relation to the monitoring of Natura2000 areas.

- LU: guidance to private forest owners. - RO: as long as most of the Administrations of National and Natural

Parks declared as Natura 2000 Sites are under the National Administration of Forests, there is a good communication and exchange of information and experience in this respect.

- SE: both from the side of forest owners and public administration continuous dialogue takes place on the implementation of Natura 2000. Moreover, Sweden has contributed to the information exchange at EU level through, for example, written submissions on Natura 2000 in forest areas (within the framework of cooperation in the SFC).

- SK: report national experiences on the implementation of Natura2000 in forest (SFC), by means of exchange of experiences, at national level, between nature conservation authority (State Nature Conservancy) and the National Forest Centre as a part of cooperation projects.

A7.2 Consider forest biodiversity reporting and monitoring in the framework of the SEBI system of EU biodiversity indicators

SEBI process; forest related parameters discussed in SFC in 2008 (incl. presentation on Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme) Forest-related inputs integrated in reporting on EU Biodiversity Action Plan to Halt the loss of Biodiversity by 2010 (mid-term assessment includes report on MS activities). JRC activities: A methodology for the analysis of forest spatial pattern developed by the JRC included in the MCPFE 2007 report and presented as a component of the SEBI indicators) covering: (a) the analysis of forest spatial pattern and its relation to forest vulnerability and resilience, (b) use of national forest inventories for the analysis of forest spatial diversity, (c) implementation of the Biosoil-Biodiversity project.

Ongoing 2007-09



EEA Report on “European forests – ecosystem conditions and sustainable use”.

A7.3 Consider monitoring of the fragmentation of forests and of the effects of forest expansion on biodiversity

SFC sessions; JRC report on forest area changes and forest fragmentation in the EU based on high resolution forest maps of Europe. Study “Undisturbed forests in Europe: concept, assessment and guidelines” by DG ENV, report forthcoming in 2009.

Ongoing 2008-2010

A7.4 Follow developments in CBD and other international fora regarding forest biodiversity

SFC sessions; Regular debriefing of the SFC after CBD meetings. JRC report on the implementation of the SEBI2010 forest spatial pattern indicators

Ongoing 2007-2011

A7.5 Periodically organise joint meetings of the EU Forest and Nature Directors (Greenforce network) and promote active participation by forest administrations in informal exchanges between MS on implementation of nature protection legislation in the EU

EU forest directors meetings by the Presidencies GreenForce network meetings: 2007: Expert meetings in Spain and Scotland and Plenary meeting in Brussels 2008: Expert meetings in Germany and the Netherlands and Plenary meeting in Brussels 2009: Expert meeting in Spain

Member States report this activity carried out / ongoing in 19 MS. Not on agenda in BG and EL (no information for AT, NL and RO). Slovenian Presidency (2008): Nature Directors’ meeting sustainable forest management and monitoring to achieve targets for halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 Czech Presidency: conference on wilderness areas in the EU (2009) Greenforce Network meetings are referred to e.g. by BG, EE, FI, IE and IT

Ongoing 2007-2011

Additional Member States’ activities in relation to the Key Action 7: - BG: research project for Enthomophaga maimaiga; a Phare Twinning Light project (2009) for strengthening the legislative framework of the forest sector and securing

sustainable management and multifunctional utilization of our forests based on EU practices. - FI: National Strategy and Action Plan for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity 2006-2016; also NFP 2015 includes many measures relevant to biodiversity. - HU: introduction of forest environmental measures under EAFRD to promote close to nature forest management. - IE: participation to COST E27 (completed), LIFE05 NAR/IRL/000182: 'Restoring Priority Woodland Habitats in Ireland' is ongoing. - IT: Ministry of Environment manages a national network of some 800 protected areas hosting plenty of forests, out of which 130 State reserves are still directly managed by

the State Forest Service. - LV: research projects on the subjects of currency of rare and protected invertebrate, vascular plant and mushroom species dependence on forest management and

protection history as well as structures preserving biodiversity. - NL: Policy Program Biodiversity (2008-2011), National Ecological Network to protect the existing nature sites (450.500 ha), as wel as establish new nature sites (275.000 ha),

in order to improve the biodiversity. - SI: Climate Change & biodiversity are the base-line of the Research programme Forest Biology, Ecology and Technology; several Goal developmental projects are under way

addressing CC and biodiversity issues. - SK: National Programme for Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources 2005-2010, participation in the EU RESGEN Project "Establishment of a European Information System



on Forest Genetic Resources" (EUFGIS), participation of the Slovak Republic in the EUFORGEN programme.

Parallel activities to Key Action 7 e.g. ERA-net BiodivERsA project

Stakeholder involvement: Regular involvement in AGFC meetings, Bird Life International presentation in SFC meeting (2008) on a version of the improved common forest bird indicator Participation in the events arranged in relation to the EU Presidencies e.g. a working meeting connected to the EU nature directors’ meeting in Slovenia (2008) between NGOs (WWF, ELO, BirdLife, Prosilva etc.) and IUCN




Key Action 8 Work towards a European Forest Monitoring System Target: Creating an European Forest Monitoring System with close involvement of the Member States and a Forest Data Centre within JRC.

A8.1 Further elaborating a European Forest Monitoring System (EFMS)

In several meetings 2007, experts of the MS provided a basic outline for future European forest monitoring Briefing of SFC on the LIFE+ calls for proposals in 2007 and 2008. Incl. FUTMON project Further Development and Implementation of an EU-level Forest Monitoring System (2009-2010). JRC Report with recommendations for reliable and cost effective monitoring. Report to SFC (2009) on the implementation of Biosoil project (JRC / Forest Focus). Biosoil Conference in Brussel in 2009 (DG ENV): Project completed, data not validated but available. Annual reports on the implementation of the Forest Focus Regulation were prepared by JRC and provided to DG ENV. The annual report includes progress reports on the implementation of the Forest Focus studies launched by the Commission (DG ENV). COM(2008) 6 Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on

Member States report this activity carried out / ongoing in 21 MS and in planning in LU. (no information for AT and FR) E.g. following activities are reported by MSs for elaboration of EFMS: - CZ: NFP suggests to continue and extend the monitoring of air

pollution impact on forest ecosystems (e.g. ICP Forest, ICP Integrated monitoring, Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER), LIFE+, etc.

- EE: Forest monitoring pursuant to the ICP-Forest Manual has continued in the framework of Forest Focus regulation, LIFE+

- FI: prepared a proposal for an EFMS system and introduced it to the SFC in December 2006

- IT: continuation by State Forest Service of the monitoring of forest health (forest focus); links to JRC forest monitoring/database mainly through NFI

- RO: participation in Life +: Forest biodiversity assessment across Europe: towards an integrated system for biodiversity monitoring – FACTS

- SE: Swedish presidency: http://www-conference.slu.se/futforestmon/ Conference on future forest monitoring in the European Union in Uppsala, Sweden 11-12 November 2009

- SI: in period 2004/06 in Forest Focus programme. In period 2007/08 Ministry of agriculture, forestry and food supply was supporting national forest monitoring program (level I and II).

AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, NL, PL, RO, SE, SI, SK, UK (ref. www.futmon.org) participate in the “Further Development and Implementation of an EU-Level Forest Monitoring System” FUTMON project financed by Life+

Ongoing 2007-2011



the implementation of the Forest Focus scheme according to Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 concerning monitoring of forests and environmental interactions in the Community (Forest Focus) with annexed Commission staff working document {SEC(2008) 30}

A8.2 Establishing a European Forest Data Centre (EFDAC)

The Commission has started coordinating work on a series of environmental data centres (cooperation between DG ENV, DG ESTAT and JRC and the EEA). JRC: establishment of the European Forest Data Centre (EFDAC) as a single point for forest information in Europe. It includes data on forest fires (from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), forest extent, forest fragmentation, and forest condition (from the Forest Focus database) is available at: http://efdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu and will provide access data from other EC Services (e.g. ESTAT) and International Organizations (e.g. MCPFE, FAO)

Member States report this activity carried out / ongoing in 19 MS and in planning in LU. Not on the agenda in SE and NL (no information for AT, FR and UK). E.g. following MS report active support for establishing of EFDAC: DK, FI, HU, LT, LU, RO and SK

Ongoing 2007-2011

Parallel activities to the Key Action 9: - FutMon project (Life+), 2009-2013 incl. partners from 24 MSs: AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, NL, PL, RO, SE, SI, SK, UK - Relevant COST-Projects e.g. E43 Harmonisation of National Inventories in Europe: Techniques for Common Reporting

Stakeholder involvement: stakeholders informed about the activities in the Key Action 8 through AGFC




Key Action 9 Enhance the protection of EU forests Target: Improving EFFIS, Support of MS exchange, Supporting, Coordination and Launching of Research projects in this topic

A9.1 Further develop the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS)

European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) web site http://effis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ Information system providing data on active fires, perimeter of burnt areas, analysis of fire damage with daily update. New modules of the EFFIS on impacts of fires on soil erosion and estimation of emissions

Member States report this activity carried out / ongoing in 17 MS and in planning in RO. Not on the agenda in DK IE, LU NL, SI and UK. E.g. following MS report data provision and support for elaboration of EFFIS: EE, FR, HU, IT, LT and SK.

Ongoing 2007-2011



(2007). Improved operational EFFIS, including the recognition of risk areas. Developments launched in 2008, 2009 with two years until full implementation in EFFIS. Progress report for SFC in 2008 on four DG ENV tenders launched under the "Forest conservation and protection" pilot project for the further development of EFFIS in the areas of: forest fire fuel mapping; forest fire emissions and dispersion; socio-economic impact of fires; harmonization of terminology of fire causes and establishment of a European nomenclature system. Four tenders were launched by JRC in 2008/2009 for the development of operational EFFIS modules in the above-mentioned areas. Debriefing SFC on Meetings of the Forest Fire Expert Group. Valabre meeting 2008 incl. e.g presentation of study under Forest Focus “A simple and efficient method fort the analysis of the severity of large fires“ and the study “Development of a proposal for the analysis of socio-economic impact of forest fires” DG ENV forest fire expert group (MS representatives) has been operational since 2000: 15 of 27 MS take regularly part in the meetings

A9.2 Carry out a study analysing main factors influencing the evolution of forest condition in Europe (including forest fires), the efficiency of current Community instruments and measures for forest protection

Feasibility study on means of combating forest dieback in the EU (2007) was presented to SFC in 2008. Study "How to protect forests against harmful impacts" was launched by DG ENV in 2008, and the report is forthcoming in 2009. Briefing of SFC on the work undertaken in the context of the preparation of the Communication on a Community strategy for the prevention of natural and manmade disasters (including forest fires)

Ongoing 2007-2011



(COM(2009)82) Briefing of SFC on the Communication on Reinforcing the EU’s disaster response capacity (COM(2008)130) Discussion with the SFC on development of a Commission communication on forest protection, with links to the elements of Key Actions 6, 7 and 8. COM(2009) 147 White Paper. Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action Research under FP7 (e.g. 2009 topics “assessing and reducing vulnerability of European forests to climate change and the consequences for industrial and societal needs – SICA (Russia); developing new methods for valuing and marketing currently non-marketable forest functions, goods and services).

A9.3 Form groupings of MS to study particular regional problems with the condition of forest

Projects financed by LIFE+ and EAFRD e.g. on the topics of: - National afforestation guidelines - Promote afforestation for environmental and protective objectives - promote agroforestry systems - promote Natura 2000 forest measures - voluntary environmental commitments - ecological value of forests - forest fire prevention measures - restoration of forest damaged by nat. disasters and fire - studies on forest fire causes, campaigns, training, demonstrations projects - protections strategies. GreenForce network (DG ENV) as a forum for exchange of experiences on difficulties in implementing environmental legislation

Member States report this activity carried out / ongoing in 12 MS and in planning in CZ, EL, ES and IT. Not on the agenda in DE, EE, HU, LU and SI (no information for AT, CY and SE). DG ENV forest fire expert group (MS representatives) has been operational since 2000: 15 of 27 MS take regularly part in the meetings Activities reported by MS: - CZ: NFP proposes different activities and surveys in protection

environment - DK: Forest & Landscape, Life, Copenhagen Uni. participates in the

Nordic Minister Council funded networks addressing regional problems concerning the condition of forests.

- ES: forest fires and Greenforce network (meeting 2009 in Spain) - FR / French presidency: the forest director generals’ meeting in Nice

(October 2008) asked the forest fire expert group (DG ENV) to make recommendations in order to improve the experience sharing - on a voluntary basis - on best practices at the European level, and to continue its work on the networks, indicators, methodology and

Ongoing 2007-2010



(currently used for Natura2000 and forests) organisation; and to make proposals for the establishment of a

coordination programme at EU level, with regional specificities - LT: participating in Baltic-Nordic Forest Statistics group (BNFSG). - RO: Setting up the thematic network on afforestation in the

regional process of the implementation of UNCCD (2007) - SK: Establishing the Polish-Czech-Slovak expert group on forest

protection in order to study/address specific regional problems in this field

A9.4 Support research on the protection of forest and phytosanitary issues

Research projects: e.g. two FP7 topics in 2007: Novel Tree – novel forest tree breeding PRATIQUE – development of more efficient risk analysis techniques for pests and pathogens of phytosanitary concern Further research projects within FP7: ENV.2007.1.3.4. 1. European (multi) hazard database analysis ENV.2007.1.3.3.3. Investigating Europe’s risk from droughts ENV.2007.1.3.3.2. Harmonising avalanche forecasting, risk mapping and warning ENV.2007.1.3.2.1. Frame for better vulnerability assessment ENV.2007.1.3.1.1. European storm risk ENV.2008.1.3.2.1. Natural Hazards: Social perception, behaviour and responses to risks ENV.2008.1.3.4.1. Natural hazards in Europe: Coordinated research strategy between European and national levels ENV.1.3.1.1 Forest fires in the context of climate and social changes ENV.2009.1.3.2.1 Costs of natural hazards ENV.2009.1.3.3.1 Risk, prevention and management of urban floods ENV.2009.2.1.3.2 Desertification process and land degradation ENV.2009.2.1.6.1 Sustainable forest management as a tool to prevent

Member States report this activity carried out / ongoing in 21 MS and in planning in ES and IT (no information for EL) Activities reported by MS: - BG: Manual for protection of forests and phytosanitary issues.

Annual assessment and monitoring of the effect of the polluted air upon forest ecosystems. Expected this activity to carry on as a Life+ project. Plan to establish an information database system form the research and phytosanotary monitoring and harmonize it with the existing EU methodologies.

- DK: The Ministry of Environment has a yearly revised contract with Forest & Landscape, Life, Copenhagen Uni. regarding amongst other important development objectives research on protection of forests and phytosanitary issues, http://www.sl.kvl.dk/upload/a04_mim_bilag1.doc

- EE: Centre of Forest Protection and Silviculture is carrying out research activities on protection of forests (pests and diseases) and phytosanitary issues in cooperation with Plant Production Inspectorate. Activities include also regular assessment of the populations of pest species and expertise of heavily damaged forest areas and planning of activities for forest protection in both State and private forests.

- FI: extensive research in the Finnish Forest Research Institute's research programme "Safeguarding forest biodiversity – policy instruments and socioeconomic impacts 2005–2010" providing information of the interrelations between safeguarding of forest biodiversity and different sectors and actors in society in order to support forest and conservation policy-making. http://www.metla.fi/ohjelma/tuk/esite-en.pdf

- HU: The national forest condition monitoring system have specific national components in addition to the EU monitoring system that are successfully maintained and supported as important elements of forest protection

2007 and 2009



unwanted forest fires DG ENV has concluded 2 administrative arrangements with JRC (EUR 6 million and EUR 3 million) to execute studies on a range of forest protection issues (see above sections regarding the implementation of Forest Focus and the pilot project on “Forest Protection and Conservation”).

- LU: research activities in nature conservation areas and phytosanitary monitoring

- RO: following research projects have been carried out (2006-2008): Dynamics of forest pollution process in hot spot areas Copşa Mică and Baia Mare, prevention and control of pollution effects measures; Study on identification of invasive insect species in Romania (2006-2009)

- SE: Swedish University of Agricultural Science research - SI: Internet portal and database called "e-forest protection" is at the

developmental phase (forthcoming in 3 years). - SK: Programmes and sub-programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture

(research and professional assistance, development of forestry sector)

Additional Member States’ activities in relation to the Key Action 9: - BG: Participation in the finalized projects (in 2008) under INTERREG III B/CADSES MONITOR and MONITOR – INTERREG III C/EU for mapping of the risk for occurrence of

natural hazards, risk assessment, monitoring and reporting, and mountain forests. COST project for governance and management of burned forest areas is SEE. - CY: an action plan has been prepared on the immediate measures to combat the effects of drought on forests - PL: Two research projects on improving and protecting the environment will be accomplished at the end of 2009.

Parallel activities to the Key Action 9: - Relevant COST-Projects e.g. FP0701 Post-Fire Forest Management in Southern Europe: http://uaeco.biol.uoa.gr/cost/ - EU Fire Paradox Project in the FP6 programme: http://www.fireparadox.org/ - EFI project centre Phoenix – Fire ecology and post-fire management (2005-2009): http://www.phoenixefi.org/content/2/17/homepage - Symposium on Fire Management in Cultural and Natural Landscapes, Nature Conservation and Forestry in Temperate-Boreal Eurasia (Freiburg, Germany, 25-27 January 2008)

Stakeholders involvement: AGFC meetings, Stakeholders Meetings on Disaster Prevention: Brussels, 19-21 May 2008, three focus group meetings, respectively on the economic impacts of prevention, on environmental disasters, in particular forest fires, and on vulnerability assessment and Brussels, 27 April 2009, the Commission organised a workshop on its Communications on an EU Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction in Developing Countries and on a Community approach on the prevention of natural and man-made disasters (adopted as a package on 23/02/2009).



OBJECTIVE 3: Contributing to quality of life Target: to contribute to the quality of life by preserving and improving the social and cultural dimensions of forests.




Key Action 10 Encourage environmental education and information Target

A10.1 Exchange experience between MS on environmental education and Information campaigns.

Building on the work of UNECE/FAO Team of Specialists "Forest Communicators Network"; to exchange views in the SFC and AGFC: Austria invited other Member States to designate representatives for implementation of environmental education and information key action. The kickoff meeting was held in Vienna at 26th February 2007 and the 2nd meeting took place in Vienna on 14th to 15th January 2008. Both meetings stressed the cooperation between the MS and the UN Forest Communicators Network. Exchange of experiences in SFC forthcoming in 2009: SFC opinion on environmental education (based on study in Key Action 18), in the work programme 2009

All 24 Member States responding to the mid-term evaluation survey report activities at the national level Presentation by Austria of Key Action 10 implementation in March 2007 (EU Forest Directors’ meeting)

ongoing 2008–

A10.2 Review activities of MS in promoting education on sustainable forest management.

[ forthcoming in 2010 ]

23 Member States report activity carried out or in progress – EL reports activity in planning (i.e. a PAWS project proposal, see below)

Not started

Member States’ activities reported in relation to the Key Action 10 i.e. activities at the national/sub-national level: - AT: there is a certified training for forest pedagogs (forest related environmental education) forest pedagogics is carried out throughout the country by forest pedagogs - BG: Directorates of Nature parks carry out annual activities with the younger generations in the field of environmental education and promotion of SFM. - CY: Environmental Education Centre started in 2008 and another is under construction with start-up in 2012; education on SFM is covered with actions on vocational

training included in RDP 2007-2013 - CZ: NFP intends use State administration, State forests and interest associations for communication with the public; media visibility; development of forest pedagogy - DE: continued promotion of forest educational and informational campaigns through institutional support to the specialised organisation Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher

Wald [ www.sdw.de ] - DK: The Danish Forest and Nature Agency is contributing to the yearly campaign “Get Moving” of the National Board of Health since 2006. A yearly "Forest Day" on a Sunday

in May in some private and public forests all over the country. The Danish network "Forest in the School" [see www.skoveniskolen.dk ] - EE: Environmental Investment Centre has allocated funds to environmental awareness programme and different activities are carried out. Public awareness is raised by

different events like "Forest Week" and Nature Protection Month", nature information centres, educational camps and via electronic



[www.metsainfo.ee/index.php?part=events and http://www.loodusajakiri.ee/eesti_mets/ ] and audio-visual media.

- EL: European Forest Week (2008) and Forest days every year; a proposal for PAWS project (Pedagogische Arbeit im Wald / Pedagogic Work in Forests) - ES: Spanish forest Plan foresees an environmental education programme that is now been implemented - FI: in accordance of NFP 2015 - FR: Ministry of Agriculture co-funds annually with the Ministry of Education a national campaign to increase awareness of primary school students on forest management:

"Going to the Forest School" - HU: Continuous maintenance and support to forest schools to promote environment education and information on SFM. European Forest Week had a great success in HU

with hundreds of specific programs attended by ten thousands over the country in 2008. - IE: Continual awareness raising, engagement with stakeholders in conjunction with implementation of the Water Framework Directive. - IT: continuous environmental education by State Forest Service (courses, lessons, media spots, events and documents); Ministry of Agriculture forest information is available

from 2008 onwards through Rural Network website - LT: The Ministry of Environment carries out a set of activities to encourage environmental education and information: inclusive e.g. tv, radio; forest tracks; seminars and

conferences; studies; publications. - LU: implementation of nine information centres on nature and forests in Luxembourg (4 realised, 2 in progress, 3 in planning). - LV: Forest Development Fund projects connected with education, insight of environment promoting and information campaign about actual environment questions, incl.

children and youth education projects (Don’t litter in forest, Get to know forest, Birds in my forest, Forest days, etc.) and forest owner education training projects (e.g. Forest days, Forest ABC), media, publications.

- NL: the program "Youth, nature, food and healthy" with an aim to emphasis the importance of nature for wellness and healthy, especially for the youth. - PL: Permanent education, information campaigns and training - RO: "Public Awareness Campaign towards Sustainable Forest Management" project with special educational section: information brochure and materials for schools.

Campaigns for education, information and public awareness carried out in the 22 National and Natural Parks under the administration of National Forest Administration. - SE: Information and education campaigns targeting forest owners as well as schools and the general public are continuously ongoing. As regards environmental education

(focusing on forests) in schools, the Swedish Forest Agency has been running the "Skogen i Skolan" project already for a long time [see www.skogeniskolan.se ]. As regards information campaigns targeted to forest owners, the Swedish Forest Agency has been conducting such (incl. extension) already for a long time. Information about the forest environment and SFM is carried out through information activities such as forest days etc.

- SI: Forest nature trails (96 trails); Slovenian Forest week with a 30-year tradition - SK: project of forest related environmental education (FREE) from 2002 onwards: National Forest Centre in Zvolen (coord.): vocational education, training and pedagogics.

Mainly focused on forestry specialists. Particular activities are carried out by the State forest enterprises, private forest owners and regional schools. Educational paths in forests and open-air museum of forestry have been built as a part of the project. Moreover, special workshops and forestry exhibitions for public have been organized.

Parallel activities: e.g. several national and international initiatives have been also launched and funded within the framework of the Leonardo da Vinci programme, such as: “Forest-Worker Education Mobility-Program between Plönninge and Bad Segeberg D/2005/PL/43040001DZ”, “Transfer of Innovative Learning Techniques over Forestry Education 2008-1-SK1-LEO05-00222“ , “3 International Education of forest machine Owners and Operators D/2003/PL/4303100252 “, or the network for “Qualification in Forestry (ENQuaFor) [ http://www.enquafor.com/ ]

Stakeholder involvement: all stakeholders have active communication policies towards the society at large. UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators Network includes several forest sector stakeholder organisations.

http://www.adam-europe.eu/adam/project/view.htm?prj=1882




http://www.enquafor.com/



No. FAP Objectives and targets; Key Actions

and activities Community Level Action (directly FAP related: COM DGs)


Key Action 11 Maintain and enhance the protective functions of forests Target

Not started

A11.1 Exchange experiences on measures taken to enhance the protective function of forests

Discussion and exchange of experiences forthcoming SFC July 2009 SFC opinion forthcoming (work programme 2009)

20 Member States activity carried out or in progress. Activity in planning in LU (no information for FR, SE and UK)

In work plan 2009

A11.2 Carry out studies on: − Flood prevention − Combating desertification − Avalanche control − Soil erosion prevention and control − Water resources preservation.

Presentation to SFC regarding a study of the soil aspects in the MS National Plans under the CCD (ref. made in the FAP progress report to AGFC in July 2008)

Calls for proposals in FP7 addressing forest-related natural hazards

Not? started 2009-2011

A11.3 Natural hazard prevention. Conference; internal research of JRC. (ref. to A11.3 in work programme 2009: revision of SFC work programme forthcoming in Dec.2009)

21 Member States carried out or in progress. Activity not in the agenda in CY and IE (no information for UK)

Not started 2010 / 2011

Member States report the following activities in relation to the Key Action 11: - AT: the protective function of forests, prevention of natural hazards is a key issue of forest policy, institutional reforms led to better cooperation between different services - BG: participation in transnational projects (finalised in 2008) INTERREG III B/CADSES MONITOR and MONITOR – INTERREG III C/EU for mapping of the risk for occurrence of

natural hazards, risk assessment, monitoring and reporting, and mountain forests. In 2009 a SEE project has been approved for practical monitoring when managing natural hazards.

- CY: measures enhancing of protective functions are included in RDP 2007-2013 - CZ: NFP (natural disasters, water resources, soil, torrent control...) - DK: Cooperation between waterworks and the Danish Forest and Nature Agency on afforestation projects to ensure high quality of Drinking Water; Close-to-Nature Forestry

and a long term Action Plan for Close-to-Nature Forestry in all Danish State Forests. Subsidies for replanting storm felled forests as robust forests. - EE: Forest owners carry out different measures which are subsidised by the State. - EL: Forest measures under Rural Development Programme (226); National annual forest programmes for anti-erosion works, forest fire prevention - FI: The Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland 2008-2016 “METSO” was drawn up to supplement the NFP in the conservation of forest biodiversity. - FR: rural development programme (measure 226B) on the management of forests with a protective role on mountain erosion and on the investment or forest operations for

the prevention of forest fires (226C). Furthermore, on national domain forests, the State invests in forests with a specific protection role (coastal/sand piles, mountain protective forests)

- HU: proposal of the new Forest Act, esp. a proposal to establish a forest protection service within the forest authority to contribute - among others - in natural hazard prevention and management in forest; Support for restoration of forest land after abiotic hazards under EAFRD, and additional subsidies will be available in 2009 for prevention against defined dangerous biotic agents threatening forests as well as for restoration of forest areas after biotic damages.

- IT: mainly at local level by local actors (forest management by Regions, sub-regional bodies) or by structures of the protected areas - LT: Activities to forest natural hazard prevention are foreseen in three types of planning documents (Strategic - Forest Management Schemes, operational - Forest

Management Plans and special - Nature Management Plan). Activities to prevent forests from natural hazards are financed from the Special General Forestry Needs



Financing Programme.

- LU: delimitation of new water protection zones in planning; elaboration of an action plan in case of storm-hazard. - RO: Rural development programme funds; Torrent control (flood prevention) activity is carried out over decades and concerns torrential valleys in which works have not

been yet done. It is developed based on State budget, including a loan from EDB. - SI: Ordinance on protection forests and forests with a special purpose, revision 2009; Encourage use of indigenous species for reforestation; Promote thinnings to improve

stability of stands and promote variegated structure of forest; Fire observing service (task of the Slovenian Forest Service) - SK: implementing forest protection measures in 2009-2013, mainly against bark beetle outbreaks becoming a main threat to mountain forests in Slovakia significantly

affecting their protective functions.

Parallel activities: e.g. INTERREG funding (ERDF) is utilised in regional projects (cross-border/transnational) relating to protective functions of forests The FP7 programme has addressed forest-related natural hazards through several calls, from its Environment line; 5 specific calls in 2007, 5 in 2008 and 3 in 2009: ENV.2007.2.1.3.1. Geographical transect approach to desertification ENV.2007.1.3.4. 1. European (multi) hazard database analysis ENV.2007.1.3.3.3. Investigating Europe’s risk from droughts ENV.2007.1.3.3.2. Harmonising avalanche forecasting, risk mapping and warning ENV.2007.1.3.2.1. Frame for better vulnerability assessment

ENV.2008.1.3.2.1. Natural Hazards: Social perception, behaviour and responses to risks ENV.2008.1.3.3.1. Prediction of triggering and risk assessment for landslides ENV.2008.1.3.3.2. Preparedness and risk management for flash floods including generation of sediment and associated debris flow ENV.2008.1.3.4.1. Natural hazards in Europe: Coordinated research strategy between European and national levels ENV. 2008.2.1.3.1. Assessment of methods to combat desertification

ENV.2009.1.3.2.1 Costs of natural hazards ENV.2009.1.3.3.1 Risk, prevention and management of urban floods ENV.2009.2.1.3.2 Desertification process and land degradation JRC conducts studies on early warning systems. Specifically, in 2009, the Action will work towards establishing a European Flood Observatory (EUFO), which will be a central website containing early warning info from EFAS (restricted access), ongoing flooding information, flood risk maps and climate change effect maps, as well as links to European and global websites on floods. This action contributes to the JRC's Task Force 'Natural Disasters', the JRC Strategy on Climate Change, the Thematic Programme on the "EU-AU Strategic Partnership", and the Task Force GMES. Within these platforms, collaboration takes place with several JRC Actions. The forecasting and risk mapping activities will be coordinated with the ones foreseen under the European Forest Fire Information System, operated under the JRC by the Forest Action, the activities on Droughts, operated by the Desert Action, and the activities on soils, soil erosion and landslides, operated by the Soil Action. Activities in Europe include: - National and Regional Hydrological Services: communicating early flood warnings from the EFAS system. - European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: Research and Meteorological forecast data contributing to the European Flood Alert System. - International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR): Development and delivery of the Danube part of the European Flood Alert System as a contribution to the Danube Flood Action Programme. - International river basin conventions, flood working groups, working on flood forecasting, flood risk mapping and flood prevention measures:- ICPDR (Danube river), IKSE (Elbe river), IKSO (Oder river). - Utrecht University, the Netherlands: Natural hazard research & data assimilation research.

Stakeholder involvement: Stakeholders have been involved in e.g. development of Mediterranean Forests Research agenda (EFI)



No. FAP Objectives and targets; Key Actions

and activities Community Level Action (directly FAP related: COM DGs)


Key Action 12 Explore the potential of urban and peri-urban forests Target

Not started

A12.1 Review and integrate methodologies for evaluating the social and human impacts of urban and peri-urban forests

(ref. to A12.1 in work programme 2009: revision of SFC work programme forthcoming in Dec.2009)

16 Member States report activity carried out or in progress and activity in planning in BG, RO and CY. Activity not in the agenda in HU and LU ( no information for EL, ES and FR)

(plan) 2008-2010

A12.2 Explore structures to engage local communities and non-traditional stakeholders in planning, creating, managing and using urban and peri-urban forests

(ref. to A12.2 in work programme 2009: revision of SFC work programme forthcoming in Dec.2009)

17 Member States report activity carried out or in progress, and activity in planning in BG, RO and SI. Activity not in the agenda in SK. (no information for AT, EL and ES)

2009 / 2010

Member States report the following activities in relation to the Key Action 12: - CY: studies; a more collaborative approach and cross-sectoral cooperation has been adopted; will be institutionalized with the new forest legislation to be adopted in 2010 - CZ: NFP demands to retain everyman’s right while reinforcing proprietary rights; support recreational use; define adverse activities causing damage - DK: Forest & Landscape, Life, Copenhagen Uni. is coordinating the largest EU FP7 on urban development PLUREL project "Peri-urban land use relationships – strategies and

sustainability assess urban-rural linkages". - EE: studies on recreational uses - FI: Finnish Forest Research Institute’s research Programme "Welfare Effects of Forests 2008–2012" [ www.metla.fi/ohjelma/hyv/esite-en.pdf ] - FR: On certain peri-urban forested areas which play an important role for local populations, a procedure is undertaken to classify the land and ensure its long-term forested

status. - HU: a planning methodology has been developed for regional forest development which considers in a defined region all potential land use categories, local communities as

well as the needs of local population - IT: some regional and local activities, e.g. "10 Grandi boschi per la pianure" launched/financed by regione Lombardia since 2000 - LT: Number of studies, at the moment Lithuanian University of Agriculture carries out a study program on evaluation the social and human impacts of urban and peri-urban

forests. In 2008 around 2000 respondents were interviewed. In planning processes of urban and pre-urban forests, local communities and non-traditional stakeholders participates during the elaborations of above mentioned planning documents. All stakeholders have a possibility to participate in decision making process and present opinion that is perceived by society.

- LU: educational and recreational activities around Luxembourg-City - LV: legislation protection for urban forests and protection-belt around cities is established. Municipalities can set forest protection-belt around cities. There are established

strict forest management restrictions for urban forests and forest protection-belts. Currently working on protection-belt criteria reassessment. - NL: the Netherlands has established the program "Green and City". Aim: green areas around the cities - PL: New methods of environmental assessment; legally binding instruments engaging local communities in planning and adoption of forestry plan management. - SI: Regional forest management plans include evaluation of recreational function of forests and guidelines for management of urban and peri-urban forests. Support of

Slovenian Forest Service to manage urban and peri-urban forests has been offered to city authorities including preparation of relevant decrees. - SE: The Swedish Forest Agency is currently undertaking a national inventory of forests with high social values.

Parallel activities: The COST network has funded two actions directly linked to this topic COST E12 "Urban Forests and Trees" (1997-2000) and COST E39 “Forests, Trees and Human Health and Wellbeing” (2003-2007). COST E33 “Forest for Recreation and Nature Tourism” (2003-2008) also dealt with a quite close topic to the Key Action 12. The European Forum on Urban Forestry [ www.efuf.org ] is an annual forum where urban forestry professionals meet scientists and policy-makers meet.

Stakeholder involvement: -



OBJECTIVE 4: Fostering coordination and communication Target: To improve coherence and cross-sectoral cooperation in order to balance economic, environmental and socio-cultural objectives at multiple organisational and institutional levels.




Status

Key Action 13 Strengthen the role of the Standing Forestry Committee Target: To improve coordination and communication at multiple organisational and institutional levels

Ongoing 2007-2011

A13.1 Establish yearly work programmes for the Standing Forestry Committee

Draft working programme has been prepared by Commission on an annual basis (draft by DG AGRI discussed in ISG meetings) and discussed in the SFC. SFC had 10 meeting in 2007-2008, with active participation of Member Sates (in average, 90% of MSs participating in the meetings)

Ongoing 2006-2010

A13.2 Organise joint meetings between the members of the SFC and the AGFC, and with the Advisory Committee on Community Policy regarding Forestry and Forest-based Industries

No joint meetings. Chairman of AGFC participates in SFC meetings. Commission services report to SFC (incl. matters related to FBI group i.e. the FBI communication); Commission also reports to AGFC.

Ongoing 2007-2011

A13.3 Strengthen the active involvement of the SFC in its advisory role in policy formulation and implementation 2007-2011

SFC opinions: - Opinion on forthcoming forest sector research activities within FP7 (2008) - Opinion on the mobilisation and efficient use of wood and wood residues for energy generation (2009) - Opinion on valuation of and compensation for non-marketed forest goods and services (2009)

Active participation in the SFC meetings by the Member States

Ongoing 2007-2011

A13.4 Adjust the working methods of the SFC by making use of ad hoc working groups 2007-2011

Two WGs have been operating in parallel 2007-2008 and 2009-2010: -Valuation and compensation methods of non-wood forest goods and services in 2007-08 -Mobilisation and efficient use of wood and wood residues for energy generation in 2007-08 - Climate change and forestry (2009- ) - Public Procurement of wood (2009- )

Active participation in SFC WGs by the Member States

Ongoing 2007-2011

A13.5 Regularly organise meetings of the EU Forest Directors

Meetings arranged by presidencies (2007 in Germany and Portugal, in 2008 in Slovenia and France, 2009 in Czech and in Sweden)

Meetings of the EU Forest Directors are regularly carried out by the Presidencies. Several Member States report participation in the meetings (e.g. BG, EE, FI, IE, LT, LU, SI).

Ongoing 2007-2011

Stakeholder involvement: Stakeholders participated in preparation of the EU FAP and in the consultations related to it, consultations on implementation report of Forestry Strategy (2005) and internet-based consultation and opinions/statements on the draft FAP document (2006). Also AGFC handled the Forestry Strategy and Action Plan questions in 2004-2006.



AGFC defined its priorities for EU FAP (29.11.2006 meeting). There are regular AGFC meetings with report of EU FAP implementation given by DG AGRI, and presentations of other DGs. AGFC met three times both in 2007 and in 2008. In 2008 these meetings were held appr. one week prior to SFC meetings. Chairperson(s) of AGFC participate in the SFC meetings. AGFC and FBI advisory Group members nominate their members for the SFC ad hoc working groups AGFC receives presentation of presidencies’ priorities (by Austria in the meeting of 10.3.06; Germany 29.11.06; Portugal 12.7.07)




Status

Key Action 14 Strengthen coordination between policy areas in forest-related matters Target: improving coordination within the Commission

A14.1 Appoint a co-ordinator for forest-related policies in each relevant Directorate-General (priority for the AGFC)

List of contact persons for forest-related policies in each relevant Directorate-General of the European Commission was presented to the SFC (May 2007).

Completed (2007/08)

Updated as needed

A14.2 Regularly inform the SFC of the initiatives and actions in different policy areas that are of relevance to the work of the Committee (priority for the AGFC)

Commission services report to SFC meetings. Interservice Group on forestry (ISG established in 2001/2002) has regular meetings on invitation by DG AGRI. In 2007-2008 the group met three to four times per year. Invitations are sent to 16 DGs and SG, and there is an active participation of 5-7 DGs with DG AGRI, DG ENV and DG SANCO participating in all meetings and DG ENTR, DG TREN, JRC (Ispra, Italy) and DG ESTAT (Luxemburg) in most of the meetings. In addition to these, DG RTD, DG EMPL and DG DEV have participated in some of the meetings; DG TRADE and DG MARKT in meeting with specific issues relating to their field.

ongoing 2007-2011

A14.3 Contribute to development of a work programme 2007-2011 for implementation of the FAP; review the working methods of the group.

The work programme 2007-2011 for implementation of the FAP developed by Commission services in the context of the ISG on Forestry and in cooperation with the SFC, serving as a basis in establishing yearly work programmes.

ongoing 2007-2011

Additional Member States’ activities in relation to the Key Action 14 and strengthening coordination between policy areas, e.g. NFP structures are referred to by - FI: national EU preparatory system pays special emphasis to coordination; different ministries and stakeholders are represented in the preparatory organs - IT: new NFP and structures established in 2008/2009

Stakeholder involvement: Stakeholders are involved in AGFC, but also other Commission advisory groups and committees.






Status

Key Action 15 Apply the open method of coordination (OMC) to national forest programmes Target: to investigate applicability of the OMC to voluntary coordination of national forest programmes (OMC as a method to help Member States to progressively develop their own policies).

Not started

A15.1 Explore the OMC and its potential to be used for voluntary coordination in the field of forest policy

(ref. to A15.1 in SFC work programme 2009: revision of the work programme forthcoming in Dec.2009)

2010-2011

Parallel activities: - AT: The Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management commissioned an exploratory study in 2006: Pülzl, Helga and Nussbaumer, Eva (2006) Study about "Modes of governance" for European Forest Policy (coordination, co-operation, and communication) University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Forest, Environmental, and Natural Resource Policy, Department of Economics and Social Sciences. - OMC is utilised in the forest sector in relation to development of the European Research Area ERA and national and regional R&D policies. ERA-Net WoodWisdom mobilises resources from the EU and national sources to support the priority areas defined in cooperation between participating national partners: WoodWisdom-Net (2004-2008) and WoodWisdom-Net2 (2009-2012) [ www.woodwisdom.net ]

No EU FAP Objectives and targets; Key Actions and activities



Status

Key Action 16 Strengthen the EU profile in international forest-related processes Target: high degree of coordination both within the Commission and in the Member States to ensure coherence in different forest-related international processes.

ongoing

A16.1 Participation in international processes relevant to forests and forestry

Interservice Group (ISG) on forestry was established 2001/2002, and it handles also the Commission involvement in the international meetings; improved coordination of competences (e.g. in MCPFE, FAO Forestry Commission meetings) has been called for. There is also interservice group on international forestry (in coordination of DG ENV). Division of tasks between DG AGRI and DG ENV in relation to international processes was defined in 2001. EC follows-up in UNFF and CPF, FLEGT Action Plan implementation, FAO COFO, ITTO, CBD, CITES, UNFCCC, UNCCD, IPPC, EPPO, OECD. Commission Communication addressing the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss (COM(2008) 645 final) was adopted on 17 October 2008.

All Member States’ replies (23) indicate participation in the international processes. Some countries state that they are active in international processes (FI, SE, IE), some countries give more details on the forums and forms of participation. FAO incl. COFO, UN-ECE and UNECE/FAO working groups, incl. UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators Network (AT) as well as UNFF and UNFCCC are specified in the Member State responses. Contribution to the EU in the international processes is defined as e.g. backing EU positions in UNFF and COFO meetings, and delegation of votes to the EU Commission (IE). Following EU countries provided voluntary country reports to UNFF8 (April-May 2009) with information on implementation of the Non-Legally Binding Instrument: BG, CY, FI, LU and SK. The European Union regional report was submitted in by the French Presidency Oct.2008, and a pan-European region report was prepared jointly by the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe MCPFE, the UNECE Timber Committee and the FAO European Forestry Commission UNECE/FAO, the European Forest Institute EFI, and the Environment for Europe/Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy EfE/PEBLDS.

Ongoing 2007-2011



Commission informs the SFC (and AGFC) meetings about the international meetings and processes, as well as the Commission communications and regulations. E.g. following international processes have been handled in the SFC: forest-related developments in the UNFCC SBSTA meeting and developments under CBD related to forests (SFC in July 2007); information about MSs’ National Action Plans under the UNCCD (Oct.2007), outcomes of COP14 of UNFCCC (103

rd meeting, Feb.2008).

Member States coordination is in respective Council Working Parties and led by the Presidencies. SFC (and AGFC) are informed on the Presidencies’ programme and priorities in relation to forest(ry) issues by respective MS.

A16.2 Participation in the MCPFE process Briefing of SFC on the MCPFE meetings, launching of the next phase of the MCPFE process by the Liaison Unit Oslo and the follow-up of the MCPFE working groups e.g. on water; energy; on sustainability criteria for forest biomass production; on legally binding agreement on forests in the pan-European region.

ISG on forestry aims at coordination and preparation of the Commission participation in the MCPFE and its working groups (e.g. in 2007 Warsaw declarations, and in 2008 working groups on sustainability criteria & LBA were on the ISG meeting agenda)

In the Member States’ replies the MCPFE is specifically mentioned by several countries e.g. relating to participation of meetings and work groups (BG, EE, HU, IT,LU); organisation/co-hosting of MCPFE meetings (IE, IT); and membership in MCPFE General Coordinating Committee (SK).

Ongoing 2007-2011

Additional: MCPFE Liaison Unit Oslo participated in the SFC ad hoc working group WG1 (nwfgs)

Stakeholder involvement: AGFC is informed by Commission and, according to the AGFC meeting schedule, also by the Presidencies on ongoing / forthcoming matters. Multi-stakeholder dialogues are an integral part of the agenda at UNFF sessions, allowing major stakeholders to contribute to the forest policy forum. Also the European stakeholders are active in UNFF: CEPF is one of the Major Group Focal Points to assist in coordination of input of each of the nine different major group networks to UNFF. MCPFE observer organisations include international organisations and NGOs in the fields of research, forest industry and environment, e.g. forest owners, landowners, state forests, community forests, forest industry and workers organisations, as well as environmental NGOs are involved. Stakeholders participate in MCPFE and its working groups (e.g. CEPF, FERN, WWF, EUSTAFOR and CEI-Bois have participated in Working Group on "Sustainability Criteria for Forest Biomass Production”, and; CEPI, IFSA, COPA-COGECA, EUSTAFOR, USSE, WWF and in the MCPFE Working Group on LBA).






Status

Key Action 17 Encourage the use of wood and other forest products from sustainably managed forests Target

Ongoing

A17.1 Communication concerning the competitiveness of forest-based industries

Commission Communication concerning the competitiveness of forest-based industries (COM(2008) 113) was adopted in Feb.2008. In Dec.2008 DG ENTR together with EU FLEGT Action Plan (DG DEV and DG ENV), as well as a contribution from DG AIDCO arranged FLEGT Industry Information Meeting. E.g. EC proposal for a regulation on operators’ obligations (due diligence) for placing timber and timber products on the market was discussed. SFC has been informed about the preparation and content of the FBI Communication and information on the implementation programme of the FBI Communication is in the SFC agenda 2009. AC-FBI meeting has been held in April 2009.

The EU FAP Work programme does not indicate activities for MSs relating to the FBI-communication – the competitiveness-related activities in the Member States are listed under the Objective1.

From FAP

perspective activity is

completed, FBI Comm. is

ongoing (2008-12)

A17.2 Exchange experience between MS, Commission services and stakeholders on developing guidelines for application of the Public Procurement Directive to forest products, in order to achieve better compatibility with each other and also in support of the EU FLEGT Action Plan

Exchange of experience has been facilitated on EU level: National delegations reported on developing guidelines for application of the Public Procurement Directives to forest products in two SFC meetings in 2007. Two conferences were arranged by Member States and the Commission: "Setting criteria for sustainable timber in public procurement" (7-8 April 2008) organised by the Danish Ministry of Environment together with DG ENV and DG MARKT, and "Public Procurement Policy on Wood and Wood-based Products" in Brussels (13 June 2008) organised by the Commission. The conference in Brussels was attended by 27 national experts, 16 private sector experts, and 10 representatives from

15 Member States report activities carried out / ongoing. Activity in planning CY, CZ, HU, IT, RO, SI, SK – only BG indicates that this activity is not on the agenda (no information for EL) MS report e.g. following activities: - CY: plan to implement the EU policy as regards the application of the

Public Procurement Directive to forest products. - DK: revised guidelines on public procurement on timer will be

available summer 2009 - FR: special procedure for public purchasing of wood and wood

products by the State and its public entities (Note of Prime Minister of April 5, 2005) is currently under review by an external audit and an update should be made to cope with current European and international context.

- HU: Green public procurement strategy has been elaborated but not yet approved by the Government. After approval guidelines for forest products are foreseen to be established.

- IE: Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and

(2007-2008)

Ongoing 2009 –



five Commission departments (DG AGRI, DG ENV, DG MARKT, DG ENTR and DG EMPL). SFC got briefing of the conferences. SFC ad hoc working group on Public Procurement was initiated with terms of reference defined and the work starting in the beginning of 2009. There have been several parallel processes ongoing in relation to public procurement with references to forest sector e.g.: RES Directive: Proposal for a Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (COM(2008)19), Jan.2008 in the Council April 2009,

- sustainability criteria for biomass GPP: Communication on procurement for a better environment (COM/2008/400, July 2008) including construction, wood, paper, energy and furniture among the priority sectors.

- GPP guidelines - group of National GPP experts

Communication on an EU approach to deforestation (COM(2008) 645), Oct.2008 +study assessing impacts of options (DG ENV Jan.2008) Commission proposal for a regulation laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market (COM(2008) 644), Oct.2008

- due diligence principle Other criteria mentioned in relation to the forest-based sector products: ecolabelling, certification.

Food is currently in the process of drafting guidelines for the responsible procurement of timber and timber products. These guidelines will place a strong emphasis on the procurement of only legally felled timber products using the FLEGT process, the EU Commission handbook on GPP, published in 2004, and the incoming new Regulation for operators who place timber and timber products on the European market, as its basis. These guidelines will be targeted towards Government Departments and Agencies, Local Authorities and private industry.

- IT: participation of the State Forest Service staff in the FLEGT/due diligence negotiations in Brussels and development on a national Regulation to implement and put in place controls related to the EU FLEGT Action Plan of 2003; a national day for information and coordination was also organised in Rome by the State forest Service Feb.2009

- LU: elaboration of a green public procurement policy for wood products is in progress by the government.

- LT: participation in the SFC ad hoc working group - LV: involvement in FLEGT Action Plan - SK: Action Plan for NFP includes measure that aim at elaboration of a

proposal for national public procurement policy for wood and wood-based products by 2013.



Additional Member States’ activities in relation to the Key Action 17: - CZ: NFP stresses necessity to make wood mass available and raise awareness about the Leader initiative (to engage forestry entities in local action groups) - FI: promotion of use of wood in different ways e.g. Government Resolution Concerning the Use of Wood and the Promotion of Wood Construction (2005), with follow-up

2007-2010

Stakeholder involvement: Stakeholders were involved in preparation and consultations of the FBI Communication. AGFC has handled the FBI communication in 2006 and in 2008 (joint resolution by AGFC on the FBI Communication, 7.4.2008). Advisory Committee on Community Policy regarding Forestry and Forest-based Industries (AC-FBI) is centrally involved in implementation and follow-up of the FBI communication. The Committee was established in 1983 (83/247/EEC amended with 97/837/EC). In principle the committee meets once a year, but no meetings have taken place during past two years. The members of the committee represent forestry sector; mechanical wood industry; pulp, paper and board manufacturing and converting industries, and; printing and publishing industries. There have been several stakeholder activities, events and campaigns concerning promotion of wood and wood products, e.g. CEI-Bois “Roadmap 2010 for the European woodworking industries”. Increasing of the use of sustainably produced wood was a key message in the European Economic and Social Committee Exploratory opinion on “The role of forests and the forest-based sector in meeting the EU’s climate commitments” March 25, 2009. Stakeholders are also active in producing statements and otherwise influencing the policy and decision making concerning legislation proposals in EP and the Council, e.g. the proposed legislation on illegal logging now under process (COM(2008) 644).




Status

Key Action 18 Improve information exchange and communication Target: ”availability and communication of up-to-date information are essential for enhancing public awareness and consideration of forestry in policy-making”

A18.1 Develop a communication strategy on forestry and exchange experience between MS on forest communication

DG AGRI participates in UNECE/FAO team of specialists “Forest Communicators Network” DG AGRI study on "Shaping Forest Communication in the European Union: public perceptions of forests and forestry" has been launched in 2008. Results of the survey are forthcoming and preliminary findings presented in the Czech presidency conference “Taking us out of the woods” in 3-4 June 2009. The workshop report has been presented to the EU Forestry Directors General meeting in June 2009 (Czech Republic, Vysočina Region) and subsequently to SFC.

20 Member States report activities carried out / ongoing. Activity in planning BG, DE, IT (no information for EL) Austria plays an active role in the UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators Network, and reports: ”…network supports the implementation of the FAP, in particular concerning forest related environmental education and the development of a European Forest Communication Strategy.” Participation in the network is also mentioned e.g. by EE, FR, HU, SI. The conference in Czech republic in June 2009 aims at a clear definition of the core elements of a future EU communication strategy. Several Member States indicate information and communication strategy defined in the relation to NFP (or similar), e.g.: - FI: NFP defines information and communication as a key element for

NFP implementation - RO: communication strategy has been established with a slogan

"Forest is more than wood" (inception phase of "Public Awareness Campaign towards Sustainable Forestry"). The strategy established the main direction for communication in short-medium term and also established: target, message, main attributes and expected results as

Ongoing 2007-2009



well as monitoring indicators.

- SK: proposal for a national strategy of public relations and communication in forestry was prepared in 2007; establishing of an expert wg on communication in forestry

A18.2 Develop a “forestry” site on the Europa website and ensure that forest related information in the relevant websites of the MS is available and can be linked with the Europa forestry site

There is a forestry website and several forest-sector related websites by COM Services: - Forestry measures at DG AGRI website (documentation of forestry strategy, forest action plan, SFC and AGFC); - Forests website at DG ENV (EU forest policies, international forest issues incl. FLEGT, certification), - Forest-based industries at DG ENTR website (FBI in Europe, policies, industrial resources, sectors) - JRC Forest Action The EC web-sites are often of a document library character. Websites, their materials and e.g. links to other sites are not necessarily updated. There are links to other Commission departments and services, but not e.g. to Member States, to European Parliament or to Council information sources. EFICP or other data forums are not easy to find through the Europa site or e.g. the Eurostat forest-related sites.

14 Member States report activities carried out / ongoing. Activity in planning LV, LU and FR. IE and DK indicate that forestry site is not on the agenda (no information for AT, EL, ES, SE, UK) E.g. following forest(ry) websites are reported: - CY: "forestry" web page maintained since 2007

http://www.moa.gov.cy/forest - EE: Forest-related information websites http://www.eramets.ee/ and

http://www.metsainfo.ee/index.php?part=html&id=34 - FR: the interprofessionnal organisation France-bois-Forêt is planning

on implementing such a website, integrating an economic observatory of the sector.

- HU: A general forestry site was established in 2008, however links to other homepages in Europe have not been fully established yet.

- IT: State Forest Service'sforest initiatives as the EU/international forest related website, but also two forest magazines "Silvae" and "Il Forestale"

- LT: Lithuanian State Forest Survey Service is developing forestry related site (http://www.lvmi.lt/vmt) where the main topics about Lithuanian state forest cadastre, national forest inventory, forest assessment data and other forest facts are presented.

- RO: site promoted by Forestry development Project (http://www.forestier.ro), link to European forestry site will be added; another site by National Administration of Forests: http://www.rosilva.ro. Also private initiatives e.g.www.forestry.ro

- SK: new internet sites on forests and forestry: www.forestportal.sk, www.lesnapedagogika.sk (forest pedagogic), www.lesnickedni.sk (forest days)

Completed 2007-2008

A18.3 Work on the development of a European Forest Information and Communication Platform

Preparatory Action on European Forest Information and Communication Platform (EFICP) was concluded in 2008. JRC demonstration version of EFICP was presented in a workshop in Dec.2008 together with the follow-up and development of the European Forest Data Centre (EFDAC).

16 Member States report activities carried out / ongoing. Activity in planning LV and RO. IE indicates that EFICP is not on the agenda (no information for EL, ES, FR, NL, SE) In June 2009, the EFICP site has links to the national forest inventory sites in AT, DE, FI, FR, IT, LT, PT, SE and UK. E.g. LT reports: Development of forest communication system and

Completed 2006-2008



http://eficp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/EFICP/ EFICP is a first step towards the improvement of information in the forestry sector. The EFICP has become integral part of the European Forest Data Centre. EFICP is fully operational but is not able to connect to national systems as these are not inter-operable at the moment. The JRC, in close collaboration with DG AGRI and DG ENV, is continuing the work on this subject in the context of the further development of EFDAC.

exchange of experience between MS is foreseen in the ongoing EFICP project. Beside of fully functioning Forest Cadastre Integrated Information System based on internet and terminal servers’ technologies was established in Lithuanian State Forest Survey Service in 2008. Further development of this system is foreseen towards user friendly applications, better communication and interchange of information, automatic data supply for interested parties, etc.

A18.4 Organise visibility events, such as a “Forest Week” or “Forest Day” to raise awareness of the benefits of sustainable forest management

The SFC was regularly informed about the preparation of the "Pan-European Forest Week 2008" (MCPFE & FAO). Possibility to participate in the event was discussed in the SFC during 2007-2008. The Commission participated in the week e.g. FAO event in Rome. “Green week” (DG ENV) has been mentioned in ISG meetings. In 2009 (23.-26. June) the theme is Climate Change, but no specific contents on forest(ry) issues has been linked from the EU FAP. The Commission published in 2008 a brochure on the EU Forest Action Plan (in English, French and German) and the material is available in the DG AGRI forestry website.

21 Member States report activities carried out / ongoing. Only NL indicates activity not on the agenda (no information for EL and UK). E.g. following regular events are reported: - AT national forest week and other national campaigns are carried out

regularly. - BG: State Forestry Agency celebrates Forest week for 84 years. This

week is always in the first week of April and is full of visibility events oriented towards SFM and the valuable work of foresters, and promotion of use of wood and other products of sustainable managed forests.

- CY: "Save our forests week" is organised in April or beginning of May annually;

- EE: already 17th annual event "Forest Week" took place on 4-10.5.2009 - IT: the organisation of forest days and events like the Day of the Tree

or the 10th Day of the Forest (Castelporziano on 3rd April 2009) - HU: Forest week is organised each year - LT: annually around 50 forest days in different regions in Lithuania are

organized by the Ministry of Environment, in November 2008 the Ministry organized a Forest week, and the Lithuanian University of Agriculture is organizing exhibition of forest technique annually. In addition, visibility events such as “planting forest” or “forest camp” are organized by forest enterprises and non-governmental organizations.

- LU: annual organisation of the "Weekend du Bois" together with Wallon region in Belgium and Champagne-Ardennes region in France.

- LV: Forest Days organized since 1928, every year during March, April and May

2008 / 2009



- PL: regular events documented since 1920’s - SI: Slovenian Forest Week in May every year. - SK: National Forest Days every year and several other visibility

measures e.g. media communication on forest events, forestry and forests through press releases, press conferences, media trips, articles in papers and magazines, interviews with forestry experts in national and regional TVs.

- RO: every last 2 years national foresters forums; every year "month of forest" (mid-March to mid-April)

Member States participated also in the European Forest Week 2008 (20.-24. October) by organising national, regional and local events in e.g. CY, FR, HU, LT, PL and SK.

Additional Member States’ activities in relation to the Key Action 18: DK: To coincide with the Copenhagen Climate Conference on 6.-18.12.2009, CIFOR, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) and the Government of Denmark will host Forest Day 3 on the 13th December in Copenhagen. It will build on the success of Forest Day 1 and 2 in helping to ensure forests are high on the agenda for a future climate agreement, and will pave the way forward in making this agreement work beyond Copenhagen. Regional activities: - LU: exchange on communication strategy with BENELUX countries is ongoing - LV: Latvia is actively involved in Baltic-21 process, and together with Sweden the leading party of the Baltic Agenda 21 Forest Sector (incl. e.g. Action plan for the Baltic 21

Forests Sector 2005-2008, www.baltic21.org) Importance of information and communication in the NFP is mentioned in several Member States’ replies, e.g.: - CZ: NFP suggests analysis on external/internal communication in the forest sector; support public education and communication, and; support new technologies (job

qualifications) - FI: information and communication is key element in NFP 2015: 5.4 Social acceptability of the forest sector & 5.5 Forest-related knowledge and skills among children and

young people - SK: One of the strategic objectives of the National Forest Programme is to strengthen cooperation, coordination and communication. The Action Plan for implementation of

the National Forest Programme includes measure that aim at raising public awareness in relation to importance of forest certification for society (the activity has a permanent character, time frame: 2009-2013).

Stakeholder involvement: Stakeholders have web-pages on forest related issues, visibility and other promotion campaigns, material packages e.g. wood promotion etc. As part of the "Pan-European Forest Week 2008" European Economic and Social Committee organised a conference in Brussels on 23 October, and several other stakeholder organisations arranged seminars etc. events. Stakeholders participate also in the UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators’ Network which is open. In 2009 the contact database of the network contains more than 120 persons over 30 countries representing both, government and private sector organisations.

Annex to the Report of



Annex 2: Case study “Exchange and assess experiences on the valuation and marketing of non-wood forest goods and services (Key Action 3)”

In relation to the Evaluation Theme 1: Improving competitiveness and enhancing sustainable

forestry

List of contents

1. Background for the case study of the Key Action 3 44 2. Methods 45

3. Outputs of the KA3 45 4. Summary results 57 References 60

Mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the EU Forest Action Plan Annexes of the final report – Annex 2: Case study 1 44

Evaluation theme: Theme 1 - Improving competitiveness

and enhancing sustainable forestry

Case study subject: Exchange and assess experiences on the

valuation and marketing of non-wood forest goods and services

(Key Action 3)

1. Background for the case study of the Key Action 3

Forests fulfil numerous functions, which are not reflected in the prices of marketed wood and

non-wood goods. Non-wood forest goods and services (NWFGS) is an issue of importance in

all Member States (MS) but in different ways and possibly with different priorities, yet there

is a lack of information in terms of the importance of the NWFGS. During the preparation of

the EU Forest Action Plan1 specific attention was requested to be given to non-wood forest

goods and services. In order to implement the Key Action 3 of the EU Forest Action Plan

aiming to "Exchange and assess experiences on the valuation and marketing of non-wood

forest goods and services", ad hoc Working Group 1 (WG) on “Valuation and compensation

methods for non-wood forest goods and services” of the Standing Forestry Committee (SFC)

was set up in June 2007.

The following tasks were foreseen in the FAP under the Key Action 3:

a. to form an ad hoc working group of the Standing Forestry Committee (SFC) on

NWFGS (to be done by Commission; active participation by MS);

b. to promote studies and pilot projects on valuation, compensation and innovative

marketing of forest goods and services (by Member States), which may be supported

by the EAFRD, the LIFE+ instrument, the 6th and 7th Research Framework

Programmes and the Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme (IEE) within the

Innovation Framework Programme (CIP):

These tasks were included in the work programme for the implementation of the EU FAP in

the form of two activities (Table 1).

Table 1 Activities of KA3

KA3 Exchange and assess experiences on the valuation and marketing of non-wood forest

goods and services

Activity

3.1

Carry out studies and pilot projects on valuation, compensation and innovative marketing of

non-wood forest goods and services, including methodologies

Activity

3.2

Examining ongoing activities and lessons learned on compensation for and valuation of non-

wood forest goods and services, and identification of possible constraints

1 COM (2006) 302 final.


2. Methods

The case study on the Key Action 3 (KA3) gathers material on the effective and efficient

implementation of these activities (EQ1) and on how far they have reached and influenced

the key policy-makers and stakeholders (EQ2). It contributes to the answer of the evaluation

theme 1. From the detailed analysis, conclusions may also be drawn to the evaluation themes

4 and 6.

The data rely on the combination of questionnaires, interviews and document analyses. It

partly relies on the questionnaire sent out during the course of the project and complements

this information by document analysis and interviews at EU and MS levels. The following

data collection activities include (Table 2):

- collection of material of SFC WG 1 activities

- interviews with SFC WG 1 members, and EU level stakeholders

- questions in the FAP evaluation questionnaire to the MS governments

- e-mail request for further information from the MS governments (SFC members) and

collection of related studies

- review of EU and national level projects and studies

- review of support instruments and project databases

Table 2 Tasks of the case study of the evaluation theme 1

The following tasks were performed:

- review the activities of the SFC ad-hoc WG 1 on NWFGS: review of terms of reference,

meeting minutes and collected material such as contributions of the participants to the WG

- review of related studies conducted at EU and national levels: review of EC study FORVALUE

and its uptake by DG AGRI, SFC and national governments and publication/dissemination

- review of EU support instruments in how far they were used for related studies: EAFRD, the

LIFE+ instrument, the 6th and 7th Research Framework Programmes and the Intelligent

Energy-Europe Programme IEE within the Innovation Framework Programme CIP (data

collection: search of project databases for relevant studies and calls)

- use of questionnaire survey to the national governments, the Commission and stakeholders to

assess in how far the activities have reached and influenced the key policy-makers (specific

questions in the questionnaire)

- enquire with other stakeholders to assess how far the activities have reached and influenced

stakeholders (interviews with stakeholders from forest sector and other relevant NGOs as well

as EU representatives)

3. Outputs of the KA3

The activities of the KA3 made use of some of the best-valued instruments, i.e. a study on the

non-market forest goods and services, creating an ad hoc WG, and taking into consideration

SFC opinions.

Activities at EC level

A large part of the work in the KA3 was fulfilled by the end of 2008. For the purpose of

examining ongoing activities (activity 3.2) an ad hoc working group was installed early 2007

and finished late 2008 with a report (ad hoc working group 1 of the SFC on "Valuation and


compensation methods of non-wood forest goods and services"). On the basis of the ad hoc

WG 1 results, an opinion of the SFC was developed and finalised in early 2009.

Activity 3.1 Carry out studies and pilot projects on valuation, compensation and

innovative marketing of non-wood forest goods and services, including methodologies

One of the activities under KA3.1 (carrying out studies and pilot projects by the Commission

as well as the Member States) from the side of the Commission (DG AGRI) was the “Study

on the Development and Marketing of Non-Market Forest Products and Services

(FORVALUE)”, which was successfully implemented in 20082. The study was well received

by the Commission (DG AGRI, DG ENT) and published on the web in early 2009. In

addition, other studies contributed to the topic, including the study by DG ENV on the

"Economic value of groundwater and biodiversity in European forests" which is to be

presented to SFC in 2009.

The ad hoc WG1 consisted of 18 participants (14 countries and 4 stakeholders‟

representatives). It served for exchange of experiences. The SFC WG1 had six meetings in

total: June 2007, November 2007, February 2008, April 2008, June 2008, and the two last

ones in July and October 20083. According to information provided by the Commission, 12

countries delivered presentations about the NWFGS and their situations in the respective

countries. In addition, other organizations, processes and forest-related groups such as

MCPFE, IUCN, DG AGRI, COST and EFIMED attending the meetings provided additional

information on the NWFGS.

The MCPFE representative briefed the WG about a conference on forest and water that was

organised by EFIMED, MCPFE, IUFRO and others in Barcelona, 30 - 31 October 2008.

MCPFE is also organising a summer school in Chania, Greece, which will be dedicated to

forests and water. Other additional projects on groundwater and forests was launched by DG

Environment and contracted by IUCN and CEPF in January 2008. An economic assessment

of ground water protection has already been carried out by a past study (Economic

Assessment of Groundwater Protection: A Survey of the Literature; Project

ENV.A1/2002/0019).

According to the COST Action E30 presentation provided by Ms. Tyrväinen, the most widely

used methods in the EU are the contingent valuation (CV) and travel cost (TC) methods,

while choice experiments (CE) and hedonic pricing (HP) find fewer application. Most studies

have been undertaken in central and northern Europe; calculations of forest recreation value

at countries‟ level remain rare (exceptions e.g. Belgium, Germany, France, the UK). Overall,

trading of amenity values seems to have a high potential for further development and

practical use.

ERDF and INTERREG funded projects

An especially relevant funding source for the NWFGS-related studies and projects has been

the INTERREG programme. For example, in the programming period 2000-2006, the

Community Initiative Programme Interreg IIIC contributed to project “INCENDI” on forest

2 Study on the Development and Marketing of Non-Market Forest Products and Services (FORVALUE), DG AGRI, Study Contract No: 30-CE-0162979/00-21. 3 Meeting minutes from the 6th and 7th meetings were not delivered to the contractor.


fires with a budget amounting to some 7 million euro. The project completion was planned

for June 2008.

Another INTERREG-funded activity is “ForeStClim” that addresses forests and climate

change. The short name stands for “Transnational Forestry Management Strategies in

Response to Regional Climate Change Impacts“, and it brings together 21 partners with a

wide range of experts from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands and

Luxemburg. The main aim is to develop proactive and adaptive regional forestry

management and forest protection strategies in the face of the expected climate change

scenarios. Consequently, it will contribute to the economic and ecological stability of the

forests in North-West Europe (NWE). ForeStClim has a total budget of 11.6 million euro.

Out of this, 5.7 million euro are provided by the ERDF.

“Robinwood” is a three-year INTERREG IIIC Regional Framework Operation project, a first

for Wales and delivered by the Forestry Commission Wales on behalf of the Welsh Assembly

Government using both the EU and WAG funding. One of its main objectives is to develop

and compare appropriate systems of forestry development, help define regional forestry

policies, and to increase the socio-economic potential for the forestry sector and increase

general growth and competitiveness in the area by considering the forest not only as a source

of production but to identify all means which will assist in sustainable development of

forests. It is also closely associated with the FAP objectives.

The Baltic Sea Region (BSR) INTERREG IIIB Baltic Biomass Network works at a regional,

spatial planning level with local authorities, biomass producers and bioenergy investors in

drawing up optimal GIS based biomass production schemes for mobilising biomass resources

and planning sustainable bioenergy investment projects. Co-financed from the ERDF within

the framework of the BSR INTERREG III B programme the project network consists of 13

expert institutions and associated bio-energy stakeholders from Germany, Poland, Latvia,

Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland.

The INTERREG project "Advantage Hardwood – tools for integrated regional and

business development" takes its departure in some problems and challenges shared by the

BSR countries such as the need for converting agriculture and forestry to fit the enlarged

European Union; the increasing need for joint environmental actions to achieve sustainable

development; the risk of decline in rural areas, etc.

The main objective of the INTERREG III project “FOWARA - Problems in the realisation

of forested water retention areas: natural and social scientific studies in the Rhine

catchment” is to develop and test strategies for a sustainable management of forested water

retention areas of regional and local significance under the assumption of an increasing

probability of flooding events.

The INTERREG IV funded project “Multi Function Mountain Forest MF“ has an overall

objective to exchange experience along with the development of a network between

transnational regions in the Central Alpine area, which should lead to the development of a

common transnational strategy in a view of the mountain and protection forest policy and

related measures. The issue "mountain/protection forest" as essential foundation for a safe

living area should thus receive a higher significance in the EU, and strengthen the Mountain

Forest Protocol and the Alpine Convention.


LIFE+ funded projects

LIFE+ has funded projects such as FutMon, which is a LIFE+ co-financed project for the

"Further Development and Implementation of an EU-level Forest Monitoring System", a

project for the creation of a pan-European long term forest monitoring system. The project

coordination centre is situated at the Institute of World Forestry, Hamburg, Germany. Other

LIFE+ funded projects have been e.g. “CENTOLIMED (C.I.H.E.A.M. Mediterranean

Agronomic Institute of Bari)“, which focuses on the identification, designation and

conservation of the ancient olive groves of the Mediterranean region as high nature value

farmlands. The project also aims to develop guidelines for the agro-environmental

management of these ancient olive groves.

The project LIFE+ BOSCOS (Consell Insular de Menorca) aims at contributing to the

adaptation of the Mediterranean forest ecosystems of Menorca to climate change through

sustainable forest management at estate level. This will include development of a forest

inventory and a set of planning and management guidelines, both feeding into a management

plan. Forest management actions aimed to decrease forest vulnerability will be demonstrated

in a pilot area of about 200 ha. Capacity building among forest owners, forest managers and

other stakeholders related to forests, as well as public awareness raising are also foreseen.

However, even if there are numerous LIFE+ projects under the development, many of them

are concerned with the protection measures. Some of them might have some connection to

KA3 related activities such as LIFE05 “ENV/GR/000245 - Environmental Friendly

Technologies for Rural Development”, or “Action plan for three threatened bat species in

Flanders”. Also project “Conservation of imperial eagle and saker falcon in key Natura 2000

sites in Bulgaria”, “Conservation and regeneration of Nardus Grasslands in Central Europe”,

“the re-introduction of allis shad (Alosa alosa) in the Rhine System” and “Habitat

optimisation in a local breeding population of Black-tailed Godwits in the NATURA 2000

site” might be of importance to KA3.

Some other partially relevant LIFE+ funded projects were “Restoration of habitats in the

Federsee bog (ReHa Federseemoor), 2007”, “Biodiversity conservation in western Iberia in

2007”, “Identification and conservation of the high nature value of ancient olive groves in the

Mediterranea” and a project of “Production d'un combustible de subsitution à partir de

déchets ménagers et valorisation énergétique”.

FP7 funded projects

Under FP7 project proposals have been calls for “Developing new methods for valuing and

marketing currently non-marketable forest functions, goods and services” which directly

relates to the FAP KA3 and the FTP SRA area 1.6 (proposals are currently under

negotiation).

The FP7 has issued a call of “SOILSERVICE - Conflicting demands of land use, soil

biodiversity and the sustainable delivery of ecosystem goods and services in Europe” that

contributes to biodiversity to ecosystem services. Project was started in 2008.

Another KA3-related call has been “PALMS - Palm harvest impacts in tropical forests” that

focuses on the use of natural resources, and the impact on biodiversity, ecosystem, goods and

services (The project was started in 2009).

http://cordis.europa.eu/icadc/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=3&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=01220c0b7023:5ffe:573d0e97&RCN=88857


“BACCARA - Biodiversity and climate change, a risk analysis” looks for forecasting forest

diversity under the influence of climatic changes and the consequences for stability and

productivity of forest ecosystems (started in the beginning of 2009), whereas “ANAEE -

Structuring infrastructures for the analysis and experimentation on ecosystem” focuses in

design studies for research infrastructures in all S&T fields started in 2008.

CIP

No active NWFGS-related projects were found under the framework of CIP.

COST

Since 2007, five COST Actions with some relevance to KA3 (E30, E40, E45, E51, E53) were

ongoing which are 14% of the Domain‟s Actions, but no new started. A proposal for a

strategic workshop on competitiveness and innovation was not approved; particularly the

search for new financing mechanisms is related to innovation. In the ongoing COST Actions,

there is some focus on NWFGS. It seems that generally there is no strong connection of the

FAP with COST. Currently, it seems that COST does not specifically support FAP theme 1

questions and the promotion of NWFGS because new Actions do not relate to these issues.

Activity 3.2 Examining ongoing activities and lessons learned on compensation for and

valuation of non-wood forest goods and services, and identification of possible

constraints

In November 2008, the SFC completed the final report on non-wood forest goods and

services with a set of recommendation and findings at national level. The recommendations

of the final report propose at EC level to concentrate on the following 4 focus areas:

- strategy and planning of the NWFGS, the SFC recommends developing a vision of

the desired provision; providing discussion and guidance in implementing valuation

methods and developing and supporting communication strategies for the FGS;

- using rural development programmes regarding the measures addressed to the

provisions of NWFGS, to take NWFGS into consideration when undertaking different

capacity building topics and explore the possibility to support the introduction of

innovative schemes in rural development programmes;

- information needs and awareness raising to incorporate monitoring of the provision

and financing related to non-wood forest goods and services and promote

understanding and awareness of successful valuation and payment schemes at

different levels (national, international, intra-sectoral);

- research should enhance the accuracy of monetary estimates, further explore the

wider influence of NWFGS on regional economies and focus on efficiency of

different financing mechanisms.

The recommendations of the final report propose at MS and regional level the following 3

focus areas:

- strategy and planning work on a better integration of forest related goods and

services in spatial and land use planning and development at different levels, to foster

stakeholder involvement and dialogue by establishing inter-sectoral negotiation

bodies to promote communication and the coordination and coherence of related


policies and plans, in consulting forest users, including forest-based industry, in the

development of NWFGS strategies and mechanisms to enhance the marketing of

hitherto non-market benefits;

- payment schemes for policies preferably on market basis, support new and

innovative mechanisms like contractual instruments; reviewing existing mechanisms

and payment schemes to ensure that forest service providers are benefiting from

application and guidance in implementing in order to facilitate the broader use of

successful payment schemes;

- market development to support innovation, product development and

entrepreneurship connected to NWFGS and explore options for forest owners to

benefit from such added value; further apply public payment schemes where the

public nature of NWFGS is likely to continue restricting marketability in the future

and promote pilot initiatives to function in order to foster broader application of

successful efforts in the marketing of non-wood forest goods and services.

Activities of the Member States

Activity 3.1 Carry out studies and pilot projects on valuation, compensation and

innovative marketing of non-wood forest goods and services, including methodologies

Based on the replies provided in the FAP questionnaire that was sent to Member States by the

contractor, 14 countries report carrying out the activities in the FAP activity 3.1, and 4

countries are planning to undertake them. In addition, during the ad hoc WG1 meetings, the

following 12 countries delivered presentations about the situation of the NWFGS in their

respective countries: Finland, France, Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia,

Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and UK. In the following, the summarised

information from the FAP questionnaire, WG1 of SFC meeting minutes and FORVALUE

study is presented.

AUSTRIA has completed a study “Potenzialabschätzung von Nichtholzprodukten und

forstlichen Dienstleistungen in Österreich“. The EAFRD pilot project “Initiative on

protective function of forests” – according to the questionnaire answers – provides the basis

for political decisions.

Only three publications are available in CYPRUS, which reports in the questionnaire on

private studies of “Plan to improve the valuation of forest goods and services in Cyprus

Study” and “Valuing an urban forest, which is a pilot study for Athalassa National Forest

Park in Cyprus. A national study has been “Valuing Mediterranean Forests-Towards Total

Economic Value”. Studies on valuation of NWFGS are planned to be conducted during the

next revision (2010) of the national forest programme.

DENMARK indicates in the questionnaire a Copenhagen University project "Valuation and

compensation methods for non-wood forest goods and services", 2006-08, which is a pilot

project and nationally funded.

In its WG1 presentation, Denmark tells about other projects such as “Choice Experiment” in

2004-2005 in which people were asked for their willingness to pay (WTP) for water services.

Several studies related to WTP on protection of endangered species (but they usually address

more than forests).


The Danish private forest sector receives approximately 10-15 €/ha in subsidies and support

for specific management changes aimed at environmental services and habitat protection,

including changing species to native ones, setting aside forest as nature reserve, habitat

protection, the use of environment friendly silvicultural techniques, etc. Several of these

instruments are related to the EU policies.

Especially public money plays a major role in compensation for preservation of habitat and

biodiversity in Denmark, either through public-to-private payments or public-to-public. But

also private-to-private payments (capital funds as owners and managers of nature areas) and

private-to-public transfers (fees and licenses, specific taxes) exist. Denmark also emphasises

the need for sound calculation of willingness to pay (WTP). For example, different values

may be achieved if asking for a single specie present or in the context of a larger scope.

Referring to that, the reliability of WTP results may be questioned by decision makers. In the

case of recreation use values, no other methodology, for example multi criteria assessment is

necessary, but for biodiversity valuation the value criteria as such already appears to be

critical. The creation of private-to-private mechanisms and markets works directly through

person to person contacts (for example in hunting) and in different ways (for horseback

riders, stickers to prove payment may be required, in the case of mountain bikers, tour

organisers may pay to the landowner). In Denmark, owners also apply for environmental

payments, but there are indications that not all will be eligible for funding.

ESTONIA‟s biodiversity protection subsidies used to compensate private forest owners

(based on Natura 2000). Other Estonia‟s activities include “Restoration and repair of cultural

heritage objects” (EAFRD funded) and publicly funded development of recreational sites in

the forests (eco-sponsoring). According to FORVALUE results, public-private

contracts/partnerships are still a relatively new instrument in Estonia. The Estonian Forest

Act defines valuable forest habitats and the voluntary protection mechanism for commercial

forests in private ownership. Under this financing mechanism voluntary commitments by

private owners are made for the enhancement of biodiversity protection. Estonia‟s key

policymakers were reached and policy-decisions were influenced on this particular case as

mechanism is incorporated into legislation.

FINLAND in the FAP questionnaire, reports on the research programme of the Finnish NFP

2015 "Welfare effects of forests" (2008-12) by FFRI and forest biodiversity programme for

Southern Finland METSO 2008-2016. Other activities that Finland reports under KA3.1 are

“Natura-based recreation monitoring and assessment and Integrating ecological and social

information in urban planning”, “Developing services for efficient utilization of forest”,

“Resources for the welfare of forest owners and society”, and “Environmental and recreation

services of forests: economic impacts, valuation, and business opportunities.”

In their presentation during the WG1 meeting, Finland tells about national studies on

“Sustainable multiple use of forests in northern Lapland”, and the “Meaning of tourism and

recreation in rural development and landscape”. Finnish Central Union of Agricultural

Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) of trade has developed a new compensation method in

recreational values for particularly valuable areas, for example particularly beautiful

landscapes. The Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) is now looking closer into the

economic impacts of recreational services and specifically focusing on market creation

through the introduction of trading mechanisms. Positive results were also obtained from the

biodiversity programme “METSO”.


Two Finnish projects were found within the LIFE+ framework: “LIFE to Koli - Restoration

of the forests and meadows in the nature park” and “LIFE07 ENV/B/000037/Promotion of

public awareness and protection of aapa mires in Lapland, 2005”.

FRANCE reports completing national studies on the “Inventory and analysis of payment

mechanisms for forest benefits for the water sector in France and in Europe” and “Guidelines

for good practises in implementing economic valuation methods or economic calculation

when valuating non-wood forest goods or services”. France is a member of EVRY database

(Environment Valuation Reference Inventory) and has contributed to the European program

COST E45 (European forest externalities EUROFEX). However, according to the

questionnaire replies, the works undertaken are primarily of technical nature and have no

influence on political decisions even if they contribute to improving the evaluation of

services and to the dissemination of evaluation methods towards managers.

France presented in the WG1 meeting “Econometric stu

” by

- . France already

has in place compensation mechanisms for the for non-market services. They are public

subsidies (forest management against erosion), incentive fiscal measures (Natura 2000) or

contractual measures (Natura 2000). It supports the production of non-market services by the

internalization of a part of collective goods produced by forests, to the benefit of forest

producers. A project of law "Grenelle I" currently worked on is planning the recognizing and

valorisation of non-wood forest services. With the establishment of CDC Biodiversité, a

private branch of the Caisse des Dépots Bank (an investment vehicle of the French

government to support private strategic sectors, activities and companies), a possible new

compensation mechanism has been introduced in France. On the basis of an environmental

impact study, CDC biodiversité can provide, sell or contract a required compensation for

losses caused by administrative requirements. The system may be applied to every

environmental service, including water. France‟s national study on managements, water

quality, and land use provided positive results on the influence of forest on water quality. In

addition, the result supported on water price and replacement of forest by agriculture entails

more nitrates, or more pesticides, when corn a significant part in agriculture.

France has LIFE+ project forest and water 2003-2007 “Role of forest in the Water

Framework Directive (WFD)” that includes 3 associated countries: Sweden, UK and France.

France has also a joint project INRA Nancy-FPF of “Synthesis on forest and water payment

schemes 2007-2009”.

According to FORVALUE , GERMANY has formed a Round Table in NFP, and has

distributed advisory leaflet for landowners. Other activities done within KA3 are exchange of

experiences among forest owners in the framework of the national campaign on strengthening

competitiveness of forest groupings. Another German project is called “Forest & Landscape

Life”.

HUNGARY is, within the frame of the rationalisation of the structure of the state owned

forest companies, planning a special national study on valuation of non-wood forest products

and services, which is foreseen in 2009-2010. Some studies Hungary has presented during

SFC meetings have been TERMERD project: “Assessing forest naturalness in Hungary”

(2001-2005). Hungary emphasises state support to the forest sector still lay on afforestation,

changing forest structures and forest development. But also grants for forest railways play a


prominent role. Growing passenger numbers underline the potential of such forest railroads

also for tourism but some coordination problems exist between the national and local

strategies.

IRELAND reports on national “Woodspec” manual study, website and advisory service to

promote the use of wood products. In addition, Ireland has launched the COFORD R&D

programme on NWFP. Ireland„s Departmental high level Group on Forestry Strategy has

been appointed to review the current policy strategy and identify clear options for decision

makers. That ongoing evaluation also includes non-wood benefits. The report is expected to

be presented in the coming months. The non-wood benefits covered by the review are

leisure/recreation, biodiversity as well as carbon sequestration. Other non-wood benefits like

landscape or water quality are not included so far.

Biodiversity values were derived from cost benefit analysis (CBA) carried out for the high

level review group as well as from existing studies. According to the CBA results each

afforested hectare accounts for a 80€ value in biodiversity, and annually a benefit of 8€ per

hectare can be added. Carbon sequestration is calculated at 17.7 € per ton of CO2

sequestered.

Compensation mechanisms in use are the "NeighbourWood Scheme", which aims to support

local authorities in the establishment and improvement of forest amenities for recreation and

access, the "Native Woodland Scheme" that grants support to establish, develop or restore

native woodlands (grant and premium for establishment or conservation). The "Forest

Environment Protection Scheme" (FEPS) grants financial support for activities and benefits

beyond mandatory requirements already covered by the "Afforestation Scheme". Co-financed

by the Rural Development Fund this may incorporate measures like retained habitats or

planting berry bearing species. According to presentation provided in the WG1 meeting, this

scheme is widely accepted and used by forest owners.

In Ireland especially, population growth and access to land are important factors for land

valuation. Afforested areas are not open to the public and there is no obligation of the forest

owner to provide such an access. The issue is complex and connected to the general question

of access to the countryside. The willingness to pay is highly connected with that an access

framework and mixed practices exist in Ireland. Generally, forest owners defend their

individual access rights. It was clarified that hedgerows form a fundamental element of the

rural development protection scheme in Ireland, based on the principle of respect of the

existing stock and willingness to expand it where possible.

According to the FAP questionnaire replies, the pilot projects and studies reached the central

government level leading to the establishment of new and modifications to existing schemes

of NWFGS and/or their valuation.

ITALY reports on several pilot projects and initiatives on the use of non-timber forest

products, and a seminar was organised by the University of Padova in March 2009 (study

with EAFRD). However, Italy reports the impact of the NWFGS has not been so far very

significant even if the significance is slowly growing, especially in the case where there is a

clear and relevant economic profitability.


LITHUANIA has prepared studies on “evaluation of economical and social forest functions”

and a project about “rules for preparation and use of secondary forest goods and valuation

methodology”.

LATVIA has completed studies on evaluation of economical and social forest functions.

Latvia also has launched a project for preparation and use of secondary forest goods and

valuation methodology. Projects concerning NWFGS in Latvia are such as nature trails in

connection with the Gauja National Park, and leasing of hunting.

In the WG1 presentation, Latvia tells that Natura 2000 payments are only provided for

private owners. Payments for game and hunting rights lease go to all landowners and are

quite high. In case the government may be ready to allocate additional money for

environmental services, new financing sources like for instance taxes may be created to

collect the necessary funds. However, this seems hard to achieve as national compensation

schemes are operational only since 2006, with 25% of funds from national, 75% from EU

sources. In Latvia an obligation exists to conduct a forest inventory every 10 years. This

might be changed in the future towards compulsory forest management plans. At the moment

such plans may be set up voluntarily. Management plans exist for protected areas that may

not even allow thinnings.

Latvia reports on the use of the EAFRD measures under the Rural Development Programme

for Latvia 2007-2013, and of Natura 2000 payments for forest owners. In addition, Latvia has

new initiatives on the establishment of enclosed areas for game observations or hunting, and

private installation of nature parks includes special offers like horseback riding and trails. The

local government initiatives includes the establishment of nature paths in protected areas with

additional offers like excursions, and nature education efforts by “mother nature” an

institution using multiple channels to inform people about nature.

POLAND reports about a study financed by the State Forest Organisation (the funding is

national).

THE NETHERLANDS is preparing to value the effects of land use scenarios in economic

terms by increasing experience by applying nature-inclusive Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) in

policy making on land use scenarios. Thus far, assessment of benefits and costs for

stakeholders associated with forest / nature has been studied. Next step would be the use

assessment of benefits to include stakeholders into financing nature development projects in

order to reduce free-riding on public financed nature.

The Netherland‟s overall spending for nature is dominated by public financing, which is also

the case for the two main nature conservation organisations. These nature conservation

organizations own around 47% of the non-governmental forests. They obtain revenues from

forestry activities, contributions, donations and the National Lottery. Membership of these

organisations has significantly increased the last decades and therewith public involvement in

forest management issues has also gained in importance. Potential areas for application of

CBA results have already been identified in the Netherlands such as payments for visiting

natural sites of interest (entrance fee, membership to nature conservation organizations and

therewith access to managed area), environmental improvements compensating for land

development elsewhere, or usage of added value of real estates due to environmental

favourable conditions to finance environmental projects. Other possibilities are clean water

fees provided by drinking water supply companies. According to presentation information,


hedonic pricing results may be used to argue with the higher value in order to motivate house

constructors to financially support environmental improvements, for example the

establishment of a nature protection area. However this is only realized on a small scale so

far.

SLOVAKIA‟s national studies on the NWFGS are “Research, classification and

implementation of forest functions”, “Valuation of outdoor recreation in forests”, “Valuation

of non-wood forest functions: forest berries and mushrooms”. Other pilot projects are

“Research of efficient use of environmental, economic and social potential of forests in

Slovakia (2008-2011) and “European Forest Externalities” (EUROFOREX, COST Action

E45).

SLOVENIA has completed different pilot projects and studies modelling future value of

forest stands (seed production), and of truffle production. In addition, Slovenia reports on

burn wood solutions and biomass trade centres.

The Constitution of the Slovak Republic also obliges the State to compensate land owners for

economic losses (income forgone, additional costs) due to management restrictions in public

interest. The available financial resources are not sufficient to allow the compensation in all

cases though. Land tax payment exemptions are granted for protection and special purpose

forests. The usage of market driven innovative mechanisms (contracts for nature protection,

personal services and leisure facilities etc.) is limited due to the general legal framework (free

access to forest land, obligation of forest owners for forest environment protection etc.).

Overall the compensation is not fully functional yet. The reason for not using the apparent

possibilities in application of alternative compensation mechanisms is caused by the

orientation of forest owners mainly towards wood production which means no realization of

the non-wood forest products potential.

Slovakia‟s subsidies have relied mostly on the National Rural Development Programme

2007-2013, Natura 2000 payments on forestland, and forest-environment payments. The

funding has been national and publicly funded.

SPAIN reports on the project “MEDFOREX” that is a national study on the NWFGS, and

another national study of “Forest incomes modelisation”.

SWEDEN reports on the studies “Forest and human health”, “Outdoor recreation in change”

and “Identification of forests with high social values”.

In the WG1 presentation, Sweden tells on the study of the Swedish National Institute of

Economic Research (NIER) to elaborate an overview of monetary valuation methods of

biodiversity, its application by outlining strengths, weaknesses and suitability as well as the

motivation for implementation. The project worked through two expert panels (a researcher

panel and a stakeholder panel) supported by short discussion papers on opportunities and

constraints of monetary valuation of biodiversity. Results were delivered to the Swedish

Government by the end of 2007.

Seven experience values of forests, which determine the stewardship and the forest

management type, have been identified:

1. Solitude and story (for example old forests with a mystique aura)

2. A sense of a forest (forest harmonies)


3. Space and view (wide views of the surrounding)

4. Biodiversity and learning (nature studies and teaching, schools in the forest)

5. Cultural history (civilisation tracks)

6. Activity and challenge (sports, outdoor activities)

7. Service and sharing (infrastructure, facilities)

Monetary valuation in Sweden is mainly motivated by demonstrating the value of

biodiversity, improve cost-benefit analysis and setting priorities within a fixed budget.

Methodological choice partly depends on the valuation purpose, threshold values are hard to

obtain though. Overall valuation studies need to be repeated. The valuation of ecosystem

services is the key in order to value biodiversity. Standard values should be produced to

include biodiversity in cost benefit analysis. Even if ecosystem services appear to be even

more complicated to valuate, according to the study results this is the only basis to create a

value for the service demanded. How well WTP calculations mirror the reality depends on

the specific good and service. Additional measurements (for example spending for bird food)

may help to validate WTP amounts.

The UK has completed national studies on “Payments for Ecosystems Services Findings and

Perceptions from the USA”, “A valuation of the economic and social contribution of Forestry

for People in Scotland” and “Payments for ecosystem services: carbon valuation and risk

management”.

In the UK, the economic values of forests may be subdivided into use (timber as a direct

value, recreation as an indirect value), and non-use values (which includes social and

environmental values like for instance existence biodiversity). No comprehensive valuation

had previously been undertaken for such social and environmental benefits (SEB), but

research has now been carried out to estimate the total values of several SEBs at regional,

country and the UK level. Included are inter alia biodiversity, landscape, recreation and

carbon sequestration. To support the research efforts, a steering group consisting of different

institutions (including the UK Forestry Commission, DEFRA and the Scottish Executive)

was set up. Methods applied include revealed or expressed preferences, qualitative data and

participatory approaches as well as secondary data. The actions in England, Wales, and

Scotland underline the importance of this area for the identification of opportunities for the

sector in the future.

Recently several studies were dealing with issues related to tourism, forest and forestry, by

looking inter alia on public perceptions of forest tourism, on recreational potential of forests

or on public needs and market demands from forest land. By using the Contingent Valuation

Method and Travel Cost Method, different recreational values have been calculated,

amounting for 4 € per forest visit or around 530 million € per year on national level.

Results from the UK studies are used as an input to support policy and forest management

decisions and to inform discussions on mechanisms like regulation and incentives e.g.

payments for ecosystem services (PES). Experiences with such payments exist in the US

(water, biodiversity, carbon, deforestation). The potential in the UK has still to be

substantiated, especially with respect to costs and effectiveness, property rights and multiple

ecosystem services. Therefore next steps will be to look closer into the design of

mechanisms.


4. Summary results

Implementation at EU Level

The KA3 activities foreseen in the work programme were carried out. The Working Group

collected information through presentations prepared by the WG members and stakeholder

group. These presentations covered overviews of individual country experiences, specific

national and international projects, COST actions and briefings on support measures provided

by the Rural Development Programmes (RDP) and the State Aid rules.

Under the activity 3.1, a study on the “Development and Marketing of Non-Market Forest

Products and Services” provided a holistic view on the situation of NWFGS in the EU, which

was further amplified by the final report of the WG1. In addition to more traditional forest

goods and services (such as honey, timber, berries), topics related to recreation, biodiversity

and carbon sequestration are strongly represented in the Member States information. It

appears that especially issue of water is gaining a lot of attention: many of the given

presentations concentrated on the aspect of forest and water.

A majority of the different funding programmes concentrated on the biodiversity and nature

conservation (LIFE+, FP7) or biomass aspects. However, a few EU level studies/projects

exist on the NWFGS.

Under the activity 3.2, existing information on the valuation studies of NWFGS was collected

and analysed. There is a lot of existing information, but it appears that information mainly

concentrates on single services, habitats or species, and certain types of valuation types, those

being contingent valuation (CV) and travel cost (TC) methods. The WG1 acknowledges the

importance of these goods and services and their growing significance, and recognises the

need to further increase and diversify the available information on valuation and

compensation of the NWFGS. The WG1 also recognises the need to increase available

funding to support the development of different valuation schemes for the NWFGS at both

EC and national level.

Implementation in Member States

In sum, Activity 3.1 of collecting and carrying out studies and projects on valuation,

compensation and innovative marketing of non-wood forest goods and services, including

methodologies in was done to a different extent in different Member States.

Information the Member States provided in the FAP questionnaire was often scarce, and the

studies they reported relied in most cases to national and, to lesser degree, private funding.

Additional information obtained from the ad hoc WG1 meeting minutes and FORVALUE

results revealed Natura 2000 and EAFRD to be the most frequently used EU funds. In

addition, LIFE+, and Rural Development Funds were reported to be used in relation to FAP

KA3 objectives.

There is a huge difference between available information in the Member States: while some

countries inform about a great amount of relevant KA3 activities (studies and projects), some

countries provide none (CZ, BG, GR, RO or MT, BE, PT). The importance of the NWFGS or


their innovative financing mechanisms is not always very clear, as is the case e.g. in Italy or

Estonia.

Exchange of experiences (Activity 3.2) especially took place in the ad hoc WG1 – including a

limited number of countries – and less in the SFC as a whole.

Have the activities been carried out effectively and efficiently?

The activities have been carried out according to the FAP and its multiannual work plan at

the EU level. One stakeholder referred to FORVALUE project as an important outcome of

the SFC activities during an interview. However, no other stakeholder related back to EC

activities with regards to KA3 of the EU FAP.

A number of countries report on recent, ongoing or planned studies. With this regard it

appears that there is a lot of interest invested in the question of NWFGS. In many cases, the

studies mostly refer to the forest functions and their valuation, sometimes also to their

compensation possibilities. In sum, there is not so much awareness of the questions of

marketing and new financing mechanisms.

One of the goals in the formation of the ad hoc Working Group 1 was the active participation

by the MS and exchange of experiences. Members were actively sharing information not only

on the NWFGS but also on their different valuation methods and on their financing

possibilities. The meetings have been arranged more or less regularly twice a year and been

attended by the MS representatives and various stakeholders and other experts. However, not

all countries distributed information on NWFGS within the ad hoc Working Group 1

meetings. The Commission has carried out studies and pilot projects on valuation,

compensation and innovative marketing on NWFGS, including methodologies.

The financing of the NWFGS appears to rely very much on the EU and public (national)

funding. To some degree, MS report on the private funding options. Most of the

compensations are to be found within existing programmes such as Rural Development and

Natura 2000 programmes. Search through different funding programmes did not provide very

much information; the most relevant programme when it comes to NWFGS is the

INTERREG. LIFE+ is more concerned with biodiversity and protective measures. One call

specifically related to NWFGS was issued under FP7. Other calls exist within FP7, albeit

they are not explicitly related to the valuation and compensation of NWFGS.

Both Activities 3.1 and 3.2 are seen as completed at EC level, and partially at MS level, too.

The scarce information provided by some MS in the FAP questionnaire may indicate the lack

of interest or possibilities to perform studies or projects.

Have the results reached and influenced key policy makers and stakeholders?

Relevant EU actors, MS representatives and stakeholders were engaged in the SFC, the SFC

ad-hoc WG1 meetings and activities and the study report. Results gained from the meetings

and studies were further reported to the AGFC. In addition, results are presented at various

seminars and will be published in journals by the study authors.

However, in the FAP questionnaire countries/stakeholders report nothing or explicitly say

that they have not received results of KA3. Only a smaller number of respondents report that


policy-makers are aware of the results – and then they mostly refer to national studies and

other national level activities. According to the MS replies, the results on the national studies

on NWFGS and their valuation methods have had a small or no impact on policy makers.

As being the case for all WGs and studies, also the KA 3 ad-hoc WG 1 and the study report

on the valuation and marketing of non-market forest goods and services (FORVALUE) are

seen as being particular successful by the DG representatives and other actors/stakeholders.

The study has been evaluated with a high score and the WG resulted in a common report and

was the basis for an SFC opinion on the issue. However, other stakeholders do not refer to the

KA3, nor do the MS representatives, which might indicate poor communication between the

Commission and the other actors, or their limited interest.

Recommendations

Funding of studies and projects

It seems that the national NWFGS projects and studies rely pretty much on the national

sources. Many of the different EU-funded projects concentrate on the protective measures,

biodiversity, and Natura 2000 sites. The Commission recommendation on the use of Rural

Development Programmes as a mean of promoting NWFGS could be more emphasised and

explored. In addition, other innovative funding/financing schemes could be supported and

encouraged at MS level, e.g. by taking into consideration local forest owners, stakeholders

and end-users and possibly consult with them (as was done in Finnish METSO-programme).

Communication and coordination

Information flows within the SFC are efficiently performed, however, there is the problem of

distributing the information to wider social groups, actors and stakeholders. Some of the

stakeholders are of the opinion that the SFC activities are not communicated to external

parties well enough. The communication could be improved and strengthened by, e.g. web

pages, distributing leaflets and reports of the SFC‟s findings. The communication and

coordination could be improved by requesting the MS reports on related dissemination

activities, and also reporting frequently on the projects and policies that relate to NWFGS.

It would be beneficial for the MSs to arrange seminars with a broad participation of

stakeholders, thus distributing and disseminating information about the NWFGS. The

Member States might try to collect more cases/relevant information on the non-wood forest

goods and services in order to facilitate the information flow at European level. The relevant

information is concentrated to certain countries, which dominate the studies on the NWFGS,

and also their valuations. However, best practises vary between countries, and more

information should be collected in order to be able to produce a comprehensive database at

EU level and, also, to be able to implement relevant and efficient policies at MS level in

order to promote the NWFGS. MS should also consider publications in technical journals

with a wide audience in order to support the promotion of NWFGS, their valuation and

financial mechanisms.

Increasing publicity and cross-sectoral activities

Organising specific events, publications or other follow-up activities at EC and MS levels

would increase the publicity and the awareness of the NWFGS, their funding mechanisms,


and valuations. National RDPs could specifically refer to the study report, WG report or the

SFC opinion, and the EU policies could use the study as a reference, e.g. policies on

sustainable use of biomass, renewable energy, etc. in order to disseminate the information to

other sectors. CAP discussion on public goods could refer to the study, especially on “how to

conceptualize public goods in agriculture”. In addition, many interesting ideas and

mechanisms in the study could be of importance to other processes (e.g. climate change,

water protection, public procurement, rural development policy, public funding, etc.).

However, synergies are not yet fully realised/thought. It would be beneficial to consider also

this aspect, and indulge more closely in cross-sectoral/co-operation activities such as

arranging joint workshops and conferences with other DGs, stakeholders, organisations and

bodies.

References

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renewable sources of energy - White Paper for a Community strategy and action

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Competitiveness of the EU Forest-Based and Related Industries”

COM(2000) 769 final Commission Green Paper of 29 November 2000 Towards a European

strategy for the security of energy supply

COM(2001) 142 final Commission Communication of 27 March 2001 on Biodiversity

Action Plans in the areas of Conservation of Natural Resources, Agriculture,

Fisheries, and Development and Economic Cooperation

COM(2003) 251 final Commission Communication of 21 May 2003 - Forest Law

Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) - Proposal for an EU Action Plan

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States in the implementation of the criteria listed in Annex III to Directive

2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading

within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC, and on the

circumstances under which force majeure is demonstrated, Brussels, 7.1.2004

COM(2005) 628 final Communication from the Commission of 7 December 2005 - Biomass

Action Plan

COM(2008) 113 final Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European

Parliament on innovative and sustainable forest-based industries in the EU. A

contribution to the EU's Growth and Jobs Strategy

COM(2008) 400/2 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the

Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the

Regions

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European Parliament and of the Council laying down the obligations of operators

who place timber and timber products on the market

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Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of


the Regions a Mid-Term Assessment of Implementing the EC Biodiversity

Action Plan, Brussels

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of

Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized

enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending

Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358 of 16.12.2006) and Community

guidelines for state aid in the agriculture and forestry sector 2007-2013 (OJ C 319

of 27.12.2006)

Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds.

Council Directive of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the

market (91/414/EEC).

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wild fauna and flora

Council Directive 1999/105/EC of 22 December 1999 on the marketing of forest reproductive

material.

Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction

into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against

their spread within the Community.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5

July 2006 on the European Regional Development Fund and repealing Regulation

(EC) No 1783/1999.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural

development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

(EAFRD).

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Council Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 of 27 June 2005 applying a scheme of generalised

tariff preferences.

Council Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 of 27 June 2005 applying a scheme of generalised

tariff preferences.

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December

2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European

Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities

(2007-2013).

Decision No 1578/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December

2007 on the Community statistical programme 2008 to 2012

Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the

promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and

subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC.

European Commission of 1 April 2009 on the WHITE PAPER Adapting to climate change:

Towards a European framework for action COM/2009/0147 final

Finnish experiences of valuation and compensation mechanisms for non-wood forest goods

and services, Jylhä, L., not published, January 2008.

MCPFE Work Programme Pan-European Follow-up of the 5th Ministerial Conference, 5–7

November 2007, Warsaw, Poland

Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 of 20 December 2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT

licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community.

Regulation (EC) NO 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February

2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and

animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC.


Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of 18 December

2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation.

Regulation (EC) No 614/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 May

2007 concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE+).

Renewed EU Sustainable Development Strategy, Council of the European Union, Brussels,

26 June 2006, 10917/06.

Report on implementation of Forestry Measures under the Rural Development Regulation

698/2005 for the period 2007-2013 [pdf] Executive Summary.

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/fore/publi/forestry_rurdev_2007_2013_en.pdf

SFC ad hoc Working Group on valuation and compensation methods of non-wood forest

goods and services 1st meeting, Brussels, 28 June 2007 + Annexes


goods and services 2nd meeting (Commented draft report) Brussels, 16

November 2007


goods and services 3rd meeting, 15 February 2008


goods and services 4th meeting (Draft report) Brussels, 22 April 2008


goods and services 5th meeting (Draft report), Brussels, 27 June 2008


goods and services Report: Valuation and Compensation Methods for Non-wood

Forest Goods and Services, November 2008

Study on the development and marketing of non-marketed forest products and services

(FORVALUE), Contract AGRI-2007-G4-13, Contractor: European Forest

Institute.

Presentations:

- Alexandrou, C., Situation on valuation and compensation mechanisms of non-wood

forest goods and services in Cyprus

- Blomquist, S. Identification of forests with high social values

- Bos, E. and G. Meijerink, Forests in the Netherlands: basic facts, valuation experience

and finance potentials, Agricultural Economics Institute, The Hague

- Bucki M.,(ENV/B1), Study on the Economic value of groundwater and biodiversity in

European forests, 2008

- Fjellstad, K.B., MCPFE activities within the field of non-wood forest goods and

services 27 June 2008

- Gómez-Zamalloa M. G., Link between EU Industrial Policy and WG on valuation and

compensation methods of non-wood forest goods and services

- Greguška, Boris on Experiences on valuation and compensation mechanisms of non-

wood forest goods and services applied in the Slovak Republic, 3rd meeting of the

SFC ad hoc Working Group on valuation and compensation methods of non-wood

forest goods and services Brussels, 15 February 2008

- Heikkilä K., DG AGRI, Forestry rules in the Community Guidelines for State aid in

the agriculture and forestry sector, Presentation in DG AGRI on 15.22008

- Jellesmark Thorsen B.,Valuation and Compensation Methods of Non-wood forest

goods and services Danish Experiences , 15. February 2008, DG Agriculture and rural

development, European Commission, Bruxelles


- Puskás, L., Valuation and compensation methods of nonwood forest goods and

services in Hungary, Experiences on valuation and compensation mechanisms

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evaluation of experiences in Latvia, 22 April, 2008

- Sjöström M, Monetary valuation of biodiversity. Methods and experiences.

Environmental Economics Unit National Institute of Economic Research

- Snowdon, Pat Valuing forestry in the UK in the 4th meeting - ad hoc working group

of the Standing Forestry Committee "Valuation and compensation methods of non-

wood forest goods and services" 22 April 2008,

- Szedlak, T., Forestry measures in Rural Development Programmes for the period

2007-2013, Preliminary overview, Brussels, 19 September 2008

- Tyrväinen, L., COST E33, Forest Recreation and Nature Tourism results

- Experiences on valuation and compensation mechanisms applied in France, The case

of Forest and water, 2008

- Study on the development and marketing of non-marketed forest products and

services, 2008

- SFC ad hoc working group on valuation and compensation methods of non-wood

forest goods and services DG AGRI F.6 “Bioenergy, biomass, forestry and climate

change”, 27.6.2008

- SFC ad hoc working group on valuation and compensation methods of non-wood

forest goods and services, DG AGRI F.6 “Bioenergy, biomass, forestry and climate

change”, 19.9.2008

Webpages:

http://www.forestclim.eu/

http://www.robin-wood.eu/whatis.php

http://www.ocrincendi.eu/

http://balticbiomass.com/content/index.cfm

http://www.advantagehardwood.org/default.asp?mainmenu=1

http://www.fowara.org/

http://www.network-mountain-forest.org/

http://futmon.org/

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/projects/stories/index_en.cfm

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/projects_en.html

http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/conveng.pdf

http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.pdf

http://www.cbd.int/doc/legal/cbd-un-en.pdf

http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/text.shtml#I

http://www.unccd.int/convention/text/pdf/conv-eng.pdf




Annex 3: Case study “FAP and SFC role towards EU compliance with the obligations on climate change mitigation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol”

In relation to the Evaluation Theme 2: Improving and protecting the environment

List of contents

Introduction 65

Methods 67 Results 67

Discussion and conclusions 69


FAP and SFC role towards EU compliance with the

obligations on climate change mitigation of the UNFCCC

and its Kyoto Protocol

Introduction

As a party of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC

1992), the European Community has committed to stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations

at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

The Convention requires annual inventories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and

removals from industrialized countries. The first addition to the treaty, the Kyoto Protocol,

was adopted in 1997 and both the EU (as the European Community) and its member states

are Parties to it. The Kyoto protocol sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and

the European Community (EU-15) for reducing GHG emission. These amount to an average

of five per cent against the 1990 level over the five-year period 2008-2012, referred to as the

first commitment period.

The 15 EU Member States took on an 8% reduction commitment both individually and

together (as the Community), but have the right to redistribute their targets among

themselves, taking advantage of a scheme under the Protocol that is informally known as a

“bubble”. Ten of the countries that acceded to the EU after the target of the EU-15 bubble

was set are responsible for their individual commitments. Cyprus and Malta stand apart in the

EU family as they are not Annex B Parties and have consequently no binding targets.

Countries with commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to limit or reduce GHG emissions

should meet their targets primarily through national measures.

As an additional means of meeting these targets, the Kyoto Protocol introduced three market-

based mechanisms, thereby creating what is now known as the “carbon market”. These Kyoto

mechanisms are Emission Trading, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint

Implementation (JI). Furthermore, Parties can include land use, land-use change and forestry

(LULUCF) activities as part of their efforts to implement the Kyoto Protocol and to

contribute to the mitigation of climate change. Under Article 3.3 of the Kyoto Protocol,

Parties decided that net changes in greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by

sinks through direct human-induced LULUCF activities, limited to afforestation,

reforestation and deforestation that occurred since 1990, must be counted towards reduction

commitments. Under Article 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol, Parties may elect additional

LULUCF activities, specifically, forest management, cropland management grazing land

management and revegetation, to be included in their accounting of greenhouse gas emissions

and removals for the first commitment period (Table 1).

Mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the EU Forest Action Plan Annexes of the final report – Annex 3: Case study 2 66 Table 1. Election of activities and accounting period under Article 3.4 and election of accounting period under

Article 3.3, for the 25 EU Member States that are Parties to the UNFCCC Kyoto Protocol.

Party

Article 3.3 accounting period (a)

Article 3.4 AFOLU activities and accounting period

Forest Management

Cropland management

Grazing land management

Revegetation

Austria CP NA NA NA NA

Belgium CP NA NA NA NA

Bulgaria CP NA NA NA NA

Czech Republic CP CP NA NA NA

Denmark A A A A NA

Estonia CP NA NA NA NA

Finland CP CP NA NA NA

France A A NA NA NA

Germany CP CP NA NA NA

Greece CP CP NA NA NA

Hungary A A NA NA NA

Ireland CP NA NA NA NA

Italy CP CP NA NA NA

Latvia CP CP NA NA NA

Lithuania CP CP NA NA NA

Luxembourg CP NA NA NA NA

Netherlands CP NA NA NA NA

Poland CP CP NA NA NA

Portugal CP CP CP CP NA

Romania CP CP NA NA CP

Slovakia CP NA NA NA NA

Slovenia CP CP NA NA NA

Spain CP CP CP NA NA

Sweden CP CP NA NA NA

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

CP CP NA NA NA

Abbreviations: A = annual, CP = entire commitment period, NA = no accounting.

Note: The European Community does not have specific values for these parameters because the activities elected under Article 3, paragraphs

3 and 4, of the Kyoto Protocol and the accounting periods for those activities are different for each member State. a Accounting for land use, land-use change and forestry activities under Article 3, paragraph 3, of the Kyoto Protocol

(afforestation and reforestation, and deforestation) is mandatory.

The changes in carbon stock and greenhouse gas emissions relating to LULUCF activities

under Article 3, paragraphs 3 and 4 must be reported for each year of the commitment period,

beginning with the start of the commitment period, or with the start of the activity, whichever

is later.

Currently, negotiations for the post-2012 period are ongoing, and the global agreement for

post-2012 action is expected to be achieved at the 15th

Conference of the Parties of the


UNFCCC, in Copenhagen December 2009. There are great expectations to the Copenhagen

Climate Change Conference. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change (IPCC 2007) has shown that global warming is very likely to reach dangerous levels

this century unless fast-increasing global emissions are cut sharply and rapidly. EU is

determined that the agreement must be guided by the latest scientific knowledge. This means

it must aim to limit global warming to an average of no more than 2°C above the pre-

industrial temperature because there is strong scientific evidence that irreversible and

disastrous changes in the environment will become far more likely beyond this point.

Keeping within 2°C will require a reduction in global emissions of at least 50% compared

with 1990 levels by 2050. On December 2008 the European Parliament and Council reached

an agreement on the EU Climate and Energy package that will help transform Europe into a

low-carbon economy and increase its energy security (COM(2008) 30 final). On the basis of

the package, the EU is committed to reduce its overall emissions to at least 20% below 1990

levels by 2020, and is ready to scale up this reduction to as much as 30% under a new global

climate change agreement when other developed countries make comparable efforts. It has

also set itself the target of increasing the share of renewables in energy use to 20% by 2020

(COM(2008) 30 final).

Consequently, climate change is a crucial issue on the environmental political agenda. The

EU has taken the leadership in the process and hence the non-compliance with the obligations

on climate change mitigation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol would be a loss of face.

Furthermore, the issue of climate change adaptation is critical for the sustainability as well as

the competitiveness of the forest sector in the EU. In this case study, which is part of a mid-

term evaluation of EU Forest Action Plan, the aim is to find out what is done under EU FAP

to reach the compliance with the obligations on climate change mitigation of the UNFCCC

and its Kyoto Protocol. This case study will help answering if and how the EU Forest Action

Plan (EU FAP) Key Action (KA) 6 has been or is being implemented effectively and

efficiently.

Methods

This case study assesses the implementation of FAP activities relating to its Key Action 6.

The assessment is based on a comparison of targets set in the EU Forest Action Plan and the

implementation based on the mid-term evaluation questionnaires and interviews with MS,

COM services and stakeholders. Particularly the questionnaires to COM services and MS

contained a set of questions in support of this case study. Furthermore, the work programmes

and minutes of Standing Forestry Committee (SFC), the Advisory Group on Forestry and

Cork (AGFC) and the Inter-Service Group on Forestry (ISG-F) are scrutinized. The EU

structure in issues concerning climate change and forestry is also demonstrated to see the

possible linkages between the EU Forest Action Plan and the climate discussions within EU.


Results

The EU FAP Key Action 6, entitled “Facilitate EU compliance with the obligations on

climate change mitigation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol and encourage

adaptation to the effects of climate change”, includes following actions (Commission of the

European Communities COM (2006) 302 final and Annex):

- 6.1 The Commission will examine with the SFC how to respond in a more

coordinated way to the obligations of Articles 3.3 and 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol,

including, inter alia, reporting on land use changes and forest management.

- 6.2 The Commission will facilitate exchanges between the SFC and the EU sinks

experts group, in order to increase the effectiveness of the discussions on climate

change mitigation. Measures to reduce global deforestation and post-2012 climate

commitments will be addressed. It was expected that this would contribute to the

development of science-based adaptation strategies and measures. Improved and more

coordinated reporting about land use under the Kyoto protocol will allow the EU to

better defend its positions in the upcoming UNFCCC negotiations about the Kyoto

regime after 2012.

- 6.3 The Commission will continue to support research, training and studies on the

impact of and adaptation to climate change.

- 6.4 The Member States are invited to work on assessing the impacts of climate

change, to raise awareness and to exchange experience, as well as to promote

activities for mitigation and adaptation. Awareness raising about the expected

effects of climate change is expected to allow forest-managers to anticipate evolution

of ecological conditions. In this context, it was considered especially important that

the EU has information about land use and climate change.

As the Standing Forestry Committee is the coordinating body of the EU FAP, we scrutinized

what was planned in the SFC work programs concerning the KA6 of the EU FAP and we

checked from the minutes of the SFC meetings what has been done on EU-level under FAP.

This indicated that SFC work has covered all issues mentioned in the work programme, but

targets set in the Action Plan (COM (2006) 302 final) are not yet reached. For Activities 6.1

and 6.2, establishment of the SFC ad hoc Working Group on Climate Change and Forestry is

the main activity so far, in addition to debriefing and discussion on the outcomes of the

UNFCCC COP13 and COP14 (KA6.2). No information about exchanges between the SFC

and the EU expert group on LULUCF (KA6.2) was found from SFC meeting minutes, but it

is expected that this will happen through the ad hoc Working Group on Climate Change and

Forestry, which was established in February 2009. For Activity 6.3, a study "Impacts of

climate change on European Forests and options for adaptation" was completed at end of

2008 and its results were presented by the contractor to the SFC.

On a Member State level, 23 countries (out of 24 countries that responded to the

questionnaire) reported Key Action 6 activities either as carried out or as being in progress,

and 10 countries reported additional activities directly targeted to implement the Objective 2

of the EU FAP. However, while only few of the reported activities were related to mitigation

of climate change, most of the reported forest sector activities were related to adaptation and

some of the activities reported under the Key Action 6 could be listed rather as additional

activities than actual progress of the EU FAP since they would also have taken place without

the Action Plan even though they are now contributing to the EU FAP. In addition, member


states were also enquired about their latest developments in climate change related activities

in the field of mitigation and adaptation in forest sector (i.e. relating to Activity 6.3).

Feedback shows that a lot of research is ongoing at member state level and this research is

often in support of the climate change negotiations or in support of the development of

monitoring methods, but again these activities would also have taken place without the Forest

Action Plan. Nevertheless, a study commissioned by DG AGRI in support of Activity 6.3 has

consolidated knowledge from Member States and identified important gaps in knowledge,

awareness raising and actual adaptation activities (Lindner et al. 2008) and the SFC ad hoc

Working Group on Climate Change and Forestry will address the findings of the study

according the draft work plan for 2009 and consequently the recommendations of the study

should affect the future development of the Forest Action Plan.

Working Party on International Environment Issues

JRC

EEASFC

CZ CY DK EE

FI

BGBEAT

IT LV LTFR

DE

GR HU IE

MT

LU

NL PL PO RO SK UK

ES

SESI

Parties to UNFCCC &KP (COP, MOP, SBSTA & SBI)

European Commission

The European ParliamentEP Inter-group on Climate Change and Biodiversity

Former TemporaryCommittee on Climate Change

May 2007- February 2008

The Council of European Union

EU LULUCF expert group

AGFC ECCP I & II

ESTAT

ETC/ACC

Ministry responsible for agriculture

Ministry responsible for environment

Ministry responsible for both agriculture and environment

Ministry responsible for climate and energy

Formal role in EU FAP

Formal role in UNFCCC

Formal role in EU FAP & UNFCCC

DG AGRI DG ENV

Unit G.4,Pre-accession assistance to agriculture and rural development

Unit L.4: Evaluation of measures applicableto agriculture; studies

Unit H4Bioenergy, biomass, forestry

and climate change

Unit B1, Agriculture, forests & soil

Directorate E, International affairs & LIFE

Unit C1 Climate Strategy, international negotiation and monitoring of EU action

ISG-F

ISG-IF

European UnionAT BE BG CZ CY

DE DK EE ES FI

FR GR HU IE IT

LV LT LU MT NL

PL PO RO SI SK

SE UK

EU member states

Working Party on Forestry

Figure 1. EU organization in climate change issues. Boxes represent the different environment, agriculture

and/or forestry institutions involved in discussions and decision making process, and lines between the boxes

describe the direct connection between the institutions in the context of the UN Framework Convention on

Climate Change.

A diagram was drafted to show the interrelations between forest, environment and

agricultural institutions in the context of EU FAP and the UNFCCC (Figure 1). The figure

demonstrates that at the moment there is no direct link between the EU FAP and the

UNFCCC negotiations. The exchange of experiences between the SFC and the EU LULUCF

expert group, which is a group under and reporting to the WPIEI, would establish this

connection and could thus help to increase the effectiveness of EU FAP Key Action 6. To

have an effect through exchange of experiences within any member state, there should be a

link between the national SFC representative and UNFCCC focal point responsible for FCCC

negotiations (or the national LULUCF expert(s)). The figure however shows that SFC


members represent usually the ministries that are responsible for agriculture, and UNFCCC

issues at the member states are under ministries of environment. Furthermore, although DG

ENV is one of the main actors on the Objective 2 of the EU FAP, the unit C.1 Climate

Strategy, international negotiation and monitoring of EU action is not expressly involved

with the EU Forest Action Plan. This missing or intransparent link between the SFC as an

advisory organ in forestry matters on the one hand and those who are taking principle

decisions that affect the forest sector on the other hand, presents an issue that should be

addressed. Without the link it will be hard for the EU FAP or the FSC to have a structured

impact on EU compliance with agreements in the context of the UN FCCC. More detail on

the role of the organizations shown in the figure is described in the Annex A to this case

study.

Discussion and conclusions

Basing on the reported implementation, the objectives of the EU FAP Key Action 6 are not

yet achieved. Also the terms in the Evaluation Question 3 cannot be answered to full

satisfaction from the point of view of the climate change objectives.

Although there is much R&D activity in the field of mitigation and adaptation in the forest

sector within EU member states, it is difficult to say how much of it results directly from the

Action Plan. It can also be asked how much even can be expected to be achieved under the

Action Plan since it lacks its own dedicated funds and it has no negotiating power or mandate

in the climate negotiations. However, this applies generally to the EU FAP, not only to KA6.

Furthermore, the Action Plan is coordinated by the Standing Forestry Committee which is an

advisory Committee. For the Action Plan, the SFC plays an active role in ensuring that the

Action Plan works in practice, facilitating exchanges of experience, sharing information,

strengthening cooperation between the SFC and stakeholders and preparing recommendations

on specific topics. Consequently, the SFC does not implement legislation, nor does its ad hoc

working group on Climate Change and Forestry. On the basis of the mid-term evaluation

responses, it seems that the role of the SFC or FAP is not understood correctly on member

state and stakeholder levels and there are different expectations towards the Action Plan.

Especially the expectations towards the Working Group on Climate Change and Forestry

seem to be unrealistic, which was noticed also by the EC InterService Group on Forestry (ref.

minutes of the 21st meeting of ISG-F) already in the establishment phase of the working

group. The major product of the group will only be a report with general recommendations,

but since it will also allow more representative participation of stakeholders which in turn

will help cross-sectoral dialogue and achievement of broad-based consensus, it is seen as an

important improvement by both the Commission, member states and also by the stakeholders.

The role of the EU Forest Action Plan can be seen only as a measure to disseminate the

knowledge related to the important role of forest sector to the mitigation of climate change.

At least so far, the added value of the EU FAP to the EU compliance with the obligations on

climate change mitigation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol has been minor. To

increase that in the future, it would be important to establish the exchange of experiences

between the SFC and the EU LULUCF expert group as stated in Activity 6.2. As such the

FAP would be in a better position to add to the substance basis for UNFCCC negotiations.

Furthermore, after the international agreement for the post-2012 period is achieved, the FAP

could be used as a forum to monitor, exchange information and coordinate member state

efforts in this field. The SFC has had an indirect impact with its work programmes on the


programming of research topics and calls at DG RTD also on climate change issues. It could

also take a more proactive role on this, as it can draw on a lot of national as well as

international experience. The SFC is also well positioned to further stimulate cross-boundary

cooperation and exchange of experiences between countries and regions. There should be

formal consultation processes with stakeholders to also give them a chance to contribute on

this important topic.

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Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United

Nations 1998.

Lindner, M., Garcia-Gonzalo, J., Kolström, M., Green, T., Reguera, R., Maroschek, M.,

Seidl, R., Lexer, M.J., Netherer, S., Schopf, A., Kremer, A., Delzon, S., Barbati,

A., Marchetti, M. and Corona, P. 2008. AGRI-2007-G4-06. Impacts of Climate

Change on European Forests and Options for Adaptation. Report to the European

Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development


Standing Forestry Committee 2008 and 2009 work programmes for implementation of the

EU Forest Action Plan

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United Nations 1992.

White paper - Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action

COM(2009)147final

Work Programme for Implementation of the EU Forest Action Plan (2007-2011)

Websites:

DG AGRI Forestry website:

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/fore/index_en.htm

DG Environment Climate Change website:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm

Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural development (DG AGRI) website:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/agriculture/index_en.htm

Directorate General for Energy and Transport (DG TREN) website:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/index_en.htm

Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry (DG ENTR) website:

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/index_en.htm

Directorate General for Environment (DG ENV) website:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment/index_en.htm

EP Intergroup on climate change and biodiversity (EP/ICCB) website:

http://www.ebcd.org/ISDA1.html

EU Climate Action website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm

European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) website:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/eccp.htm

European Environment Agency website:

http://www.eea.europa.eu/

Former Temporary Committee on Climate Change (CLIM) website:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/staticDisplay.do?language=

EN&id=180

Joint Research Centre (JRC) website:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/jrc/index.cfm


Annex A. Role of the EU and Member State organizations concerning climate change in the

EU FAP and the UNFCCC. These are descriptions of the different environment, agriculture

and/or forestry institutions involved in discussions and decision making process, as illustrated

in the Figure 1.

European Parliament

EP Inter-group on Climate Change and Biodiversity EP/ICCB, 7 subgroups, (former

intergroup on sustainable Development, renamed February 2009)

o Recognizing that the well-being of humankind is severely affected by climate

change and the loss of global biodiversity, the Intergroup on Climate Change

and Biodiversity aims to constitute a cross-sectoral political platform to lead

the integration of these issues in the legislative activity of the European

Parliament.

Former Temporary Committee on Climate Change (CLIM, May 2007-February 2008)

o Members: 60 MEPs, tasks to formulate proposals on the EU’s future integrated

policy on climate change and to coordinate the Parliament’s position in the

negotiations regarding the international framework for climate policy after 2012; to

analyze and evaluate the application, to date, of relevant Community legislation; to

that end, to make the necessary contacts and hold hearings with the parliaments and

governments of the Member States and third countries, the European Institutions

and international organizations, as well as representatives of the scientific

community, business and civil society, including the networks of local and

regional authorities

o WG 1 – annual inventories: Improvement of quality of MS and EC GHG

inventories, exchange of experiences, evaluation of EC inventory system

Council of the European Union

The Working Party on International Environmental Issues (climate)

o Expert group on LULUCF (one of a number fo EGs under the WPIEI)

the group assists the WPIEI in preparing EU positions and submissions

and covers the negotiations on LULUCF at the meetings of the UNFCCC

Working Party on Forestry (council working group)

European Commission

Interservice Group on Forestry (ISG-F)

o chaired and managed by DG AGRI, with representation of in total 16 directorates

general, was established to ensure the flow of information and for seeking

agreement between departments

Interservice Group on International Forestry (ISG-IF)

o chaired by DG ENV, preparation of Commission positions in international issues

DG Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)

o Coordination of FAP, several units involved in FAP (at least Unit G.4 Pre-

accession assistance to agriculture and rural development, Unit L.4 Evaluation of


measures applicable to agriculture, studies and Unit H.4. Bioenergy, biomass,

forestry and climate change)

Standing Forestry Committee (SFC)

chaired by DG AGRI in cooperation with DG ENV

represents forestry administrations of the EU Member States

European Commission a chairperson of the Committee, members

nominated by the governments of the EU Member States

three-fold role: advisory and management Committee for specific

forestry measures; an ad-hoc consultation forum that provides

expertise in connection with the development of forest-related

measures in the framework of various Community policies, such as

those on rural development and the environment; provides a venue

for exchange of information among Member States, and between

Member States and the Commission

plays also an active role in ensuring that the EU FAP works in

practice, facilitating exchanges of experience, sharing information,

strengthening cooperation between the SFC and stakeholders and

preparing recommendations on specific topics

Advisory Group on Forestry and Cork (AGFC)

representatives of forest owner organizations (public and private),

forest-based industries, environmental NGOs, forest trade unions,

traders and consumers

to seek the views of socio-economic sectors and consumers and all

those affected by agricultural policy decisions on matters arising in

connection with the operation of the various common organizations

of the market and other areas covered by the CAP and by rural

development policy

DG Environment (ENV)

o Several units of the DG ENV involved in FAP, at least Unit B.1 (Agriculture,

forests and soil) and Directorate E (International affairs and LIFE), coordination

of FAP Objective 2

o Overall responsibility for EC GHG Inventory

o Unit C.1 Climate Strategy, international negotiation and monitoring of EU action

Artur Runge-Metzger Chief Climate Negotiator of the European

Commission


o European Climate Change Programme I (ECCP I, 2000-2003, ECCP II,

2005- )

multi-stakeholder consultative process that brought together all relevant

players such as the Commission, national experts, industry and the NGO

community

to identify and develop all the necessary elements of an EU strategy to

implement the Kyoto Protocol

to discuss and prepare the further development of the EU´s climate policy

working groupsWG reportsECCP steering committee Commission

Action Plan

Joint Research Centre (JRC)

o Involved with FAP objectives 2 and 4, marginal involvement also in objective 1

o Assistance of EEA with data quality (agriculture and LULUCF) in EC GHG

inventory

EUROSTAT (ESTAT)

o Compilation of reference approaches, quality checks for GHG inventory

European Environmental Agency, EEA

o Supports the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, the evaluation of EU policies

and the development of long-term strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate

change by providing information on climate change in Europe

o Annual compilation and publication of the European Community GHG

inventory

o Annual assessment of progress of the European Community and European

countries towards their Kyoto targets

o Support to the IPCC and the UNFCCC on methodological issues and

reviews related to GHG inventories

o Regular evaluation of the implementation, by the Member States, of the

Emission Trading Directive;

European Topic Centre on Air and Climate Change (ETC/ACC)

o centre of thematic expertise contracted by the European Environment Agency

(EEA) to carry out specific tasks identified in the EEA strategy

o a consortium of European institutes with the Netherlands Environmental

assessment agency (PBL) as its lead organization

o reports on the progress of EU environmental policy on air quality, air emission

and climate change issues




Annex 4: Case study “Strengthening policy coordination between policy areas: EU FAP strengthening co-ordination within the Commission”

In relation to the Evaluation Theme 4: Improving forest sector co-ordination, coherence and

communication

List of contents

1. Introduction 77

2. Scope of the study 78

3. Intersectoral Coordination Capacity Scale 78

4. Commission DGs and the EU FAP Key Actions 82 5. Conclusions 84

References 85


1. Introduction

Policy co-ordination and coherence are given a high priority in the EU Forest Action Plan:

building on the EU forestry strategy, the Action Plan aims at providing a framework for

forest-related actions at the Community and Member State levels and serving as an

instrument of coordination between the Community actions and the forest policies of the

Member States. Furthermore, it aims at strengthening coherence between the forest-related

EU policies and initiatives and to enhance coordination within the Commission.

Based on the feedback and perceptions collected in the mid-term evaluation there are

different expectations as to what an improved coordination is and what it aims at. Response

from the Commission departments and services, Member States and stakeholders shows that

the very concept of coordination differs. Coordination can be understood, for example, as a

one-way hierarchical process of directing action, as a two-way dialogue of sharing and

gaining information about parallel actions, or as a multiple level collaboration process of

dialogue and feedback in preparing positions and future actions. None of these descriptions of

coordination is more „right‟ or ‟wrong‟, but the feedback in the mid-term evaluation shows

that the different understandings of coordination mean different starting points for

implementing the EU FAP. The fact that it is not clear what should be coordinated, how

and/or by whom and why, can impede achievement of the objectives set for the Action Plan.

In the mid-term evaluation interviews and questionnaire responses e.g. the following

examples of shortcomings of coordination and implications of lacking coordination were

brought up:

- It is difficult to direct the Member States to work towards the international

commitments that the EU has: there are no legal bases for pushing the outcome from

international agreements and processes into action for e.g. forest monitoring or more

active participation in the EU FLEGT.

- There is a lack of coordination within the Commission: the legislative processes and

initiatives in other sectors do not recognize the effect they have on the forest sector in

the EU e.g. sustainability indicators for different forest products are prepared in

parallel in several DGs.

- It is not clear how the national forest programmes (NFP) relate to the EU Forest

Action Plan.

- The linkage between the European level good intentions and the implementation in

the Member States is weak: the principles of national forest programmes, sustainable

forest management and multiple functions of forests are signed for by the Member

States and the EU, but this does not lead to dissemination of good practices e.g. in

engaging stakeholders and the civil society in planning and implementation of

NFP/RFPs in the Member States.

- There is a need to define competences within the Commission for the international

meetings, e.g. the statements and positions presented in the UNECE/FAO meetings.

The case study does not allow investigating all aspects of coordination that the EU FAP aims

at affecting. Coordination between international and national (and subnational) levels would

be worth separate case studies, as well as coordination between the interrelated sectors. As

discussed in the evaluation Steering Group meeting in May 2009 the case study elaborates


further the analysis on coordination within Commission, i.e. between the Directorate

Generals (DGs) involved in the implementation of the EU FAP. The study report has been

revised in accordance with the comments of the Steering Group of the mid-term evaluation in

July 2009.

2. Scope of the study

The aim of the case study is to provide information how the Commission DGs are involved in

the implementation of the EU FAP, how the EU FAP aims at improving coordination and

coherence within Commission and what challenges there are for achieving the objective of

improved coordination.

Conceptual framework for the analysis is the intersectoral coordination capacity scale, which

is used to illustrate what kind of coordination capacities there are within the Commission for

the implementation of the EU FAP, and what are the mechanisms and instruments how the

EU FAP strengthens coordination of the forest-related Community actions. Similar analysis

could be made at national level in the EU Member States – i.e. what mechanisms and

instruments there are to improve coherence between forest policy and other policy areas, and

how these mechanisms and instruments contribute to improved coherence in policy

formulation and decision making at the EU level. This case study covers only the

coordination within the Commission.

The EU FAP mid-term evaluation report describes how the EU FAP has been implemented in

the Commission and what kind of actions, initiatives and for example studies have been

carried out in the Commission in support of the EU FAP. The descriptions do not indicate

which departments (Commission DGs) have been involved in which activity of the EU FAP.

This case study aims at providing more detailed information on the Commission DGs‟

involvement in the EU FAP.

The case study report should not be understood as a description how the EU Commission

functions or how the Commission has organised its work for the implementation of the EU

FAP. The role of the Commission departments and services in the EU FAP Key Actions is

described based on the information collected in the mid-term evaluation – in other words, the

description is based on the mid-term evaluation team observations from the document review

and from the information and assessments collected in the interviews and questionnaires.

3. Intersectoral Coordination Capacity Scale

The Intersectoral Coordination Capacity Scale by Metcalf (in Hogl 2002b based on Metcalfe

1994 and 1997, OECD 1996) provides a qualitative scale to assess capacity of coordination.

The scale was developed for assessment and comparison of different governments‟

coordination capacity. It is based on the accumulation of coordination capacities from

autonomously acting policy areas, through informing and consultation to higher levels of

coordination by defining institutional structures, such as joint committees to avoid conflicting

views, arbitration systems to resolve intersectoral differences, agreements to define limits for

sectoral activities, and furthermore, common agreement on binding priorities (see Table 1).

The accumulation of capacities means that failure on lower level capacities hampers the


success in higher levels: if there are commonly agreed binding priorities for the policy areas,

but there is no information sharing or consultation between the responsible actors, resources

will be needed to solve problems raised due to e.g. duplication of work, conflicts between

different actions, as well as topics left in the margin between specific responsibility areas. In

other words, the lower level capacities (e.g. communication and consultation) need to exist

and be reliable in order to make the higher levels (e.g. arbitration between conflicting views

or setting of binding priorities) work effectively and efficiently (Metcalf 1996). Higher level

coordination is not an aim as such: level of coordination should be matched with the needs of

the situation, and if issues can be handled in the lower levels that should be the aim. In the

following table the intersectoral coordination capacity scale is utilised to illustrate the

institutional arrangements in place for the implementation of the EU FAP.

The Table 1 illustrates how the mechanisms and instruments utilised in the implementation of

the EU FAP build up the coordination capacities as these capacities are defined in the eight

steps of the Intersectoral Coordination Capacity Scale.

Table 1: EU FAP mechanisms and institutional arrangements according to the Inter-Sectoral Co-ordination

Capacity Scale (modified from Hogl 2002b based on Metcalfe 1994 and 1997, OECD 1996).

Step 8 Establishing an overall inter-sectoral strategy.

(This step is added for the sake of completeness, but is

unlikely to be attainable in practice)

Step 7 Establishing commonly agreed or binding

priorities:

Inter-sectoral agreement to common priorities and/or high-in-

hierarchy level (of government) lays down the main lines of

policy and establishes cross-sector priorities.

EU Forest Action Plan starts with the policy framework

(based on the Council resolution on EU forestry strategy

1998) and the common priorities / aims adopted in the

Council – this prioritization is based on subsidiarity and

shared responsibility. Commission is together with the

Member States a Leading Actor to implement the EU

FAP.

Step 6 Defining common limits by setting parameters for

sectoral activities: A central organisation of an inter-sectoral

decision-making body may play a more active role by

constraining the admissible range of sectoral activity. The

parameters define what sectoral actors must not do, rather

than prescribing what they should do.

Commission internal agreement (2001) on division of

responsibilities in relation to implementation of the EU

forestry strategy.

Step 5 Arbitration of inter-sectoral differences;

Where inter-sectoral differences cannot be resolved by the

horizontal co-ordination processes defined in steps 2 to 4, a

central mechanism of an ex ante commonly agreed procedure

for arbitration is applied (e.g. state hierarchy, voting)

Step 4 Avoiding policy divergences among sectors and

seeking consensus: Avoid taking conflicting negotiation

positions, and aim at appearance of a united front. Beyond

finding out differences and prevent mutual negative effects,

actors/organisations work together, e.g. in joint committees

and project teams, because they recognise their

interdependence and their mutual interest in resolving policy

differences.

Interservice group on forestry (2001) has an aim of

improving coordination and coherence

During 2007-2011 e.g. the MCPFE issues are brought for

discussion and comments in the ISG at the stage of

preparing a position

Step 3 Consultation with others.

A two-way process. Sectors/actors inform others about what

they are doing, they consult others in the process of

formulating their own policies, or positions.

Interservice consultation is part of adopting any legislative

measure by the Commission (e.g. communications,

directives, regulations)

Step 2 Information exchange among sectors.

Sectors/actors keep each other up to date about arising issues

and how they propose to act in their own areas. Reliable and

accepted channels of regular communication must exist.

Joint seminars and workshops e.g. on public

procurement, biomass etc. as well as meetings and

contacts between the officials.

Step 1 Sectors/actors manage independently within their

domain/jurisdiction.

Each sector retains autonomy within its own policy domain.


Step 7 Establishing commonly agreed or binding priorities Forest policy is a matter of national competence in the EU. The common priorities for

European Community forestry action are defined in the EU Forestry Strategy (Council

resolution 1998) and in the EU Forest Action Plan (Council conclusion 2005 followed by the

Commission Communication 2006). Key elements for the implementation of the Forestry

Strategy and the EU FAP are the principle of subsidiarity and the concept of shared

responsibility. Action at the EU level should be taken when a problem cannot be solved or a

specific goal not achieved more efficiently by a national, regional or local action. The

Commission and the Member States are the Leading Actors to implement the EU FAP.

Step 6 Defining common limits by setting parameters for sectoral activities

For the implementation of the EU forestry strategy, the Commission has an internal division

of tasks. The decision has been made in 2001.

Step 5 Arbitration of inter-sectoral differences

At the stage of preparing the EU FAP 2005-2006, an external coordinator / intersectoral

mediator between Commission departments was proposed in the Kindermann report

(European Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development report adopted in

the plenary on 16 February 2006). The report proposed that in addition to the existing

horizontal integration of the Commission departments responsible for forestry issues,

consideration should be given to vertical integration over all levels of work of Commission

departments, with a basis in the Secretariat – in other words, a structural unit within the

Commission Secretariat to be designated to coordinate forestry-related policies. This kind of

structure has not been created. The Commission Secretariat General is a member of the ISG

on forestry.

Step 4 Avoiding policy divergences among sectors and seeking consensus An interservice group on forestry was established in 2001/2002. DG AGRI is responsible for

the group, which includes in total 16 departments and services. The aim of the interservice

group is to strengthen the coordination of forest-related issues within the Commission. The

group meets regularly and is part of the EU FAP implementation. Another interservice group

on forestry-related issues (ISG on international forestry) is coordinated by DG ENV with the

task to facilitate the EU participation in the international processes e.g. positions for UNFF.

The group was established in the 1990‟s for the coordination needed for the IPF/IFF

preparations. It meets on an as-needed basis in response to developments in the international

agenda, and it is not part of the implementation of the EU FAP.

Step 3 Consultation with others

The official interservice consultation is part of adopting any legislative procedure by the

Commission. In 2007, a list of contact persons was compiled for forest-related policies in

each relevant DG.

Step 2 Information exchange among sectors

The contact persons network for forest related issues in the Commission is utilised for

inviting representatives of DGs to participate in e.g. information sharing events, seminars and

workshops arranged by the Commission (on its own or together with the Member States).

Colleagues are consulted and smaller ad hoc meetings between different specialists can be

arranged as needed.


The EU FAP aims at improving coordination and coherence in forest-related matters at all

levels. The Key Action 14 concerns coordination within the Commission, and includes three

activities (see Table 2).

Table 2: EU FAP Key Action 14.

Key action 14: Strengthen coordination between policy areas in forest-related matters

Activity Leading

Actor

Time-

frame

Working method /

instrument

Output/result

14.1 Appoint a co-ordinator for forest-related policies in each relevant

Directorate-General

COM 2007 Internal procedures of Commission.

List presented to the SFC.

14.2 Regularly inform the SFC of the

initiatives and actions in different policy areas that are of relevance

to the work of the Committee

COM 2007-

2011

Presentations by

Commission services at the SFC sessions.

Improved information flow between the

Commission and members of the SFC.

14.3 Strengthen the role of the Inter-Service Group on Forestry

COM 2007-2011

Contribute to the development of a work

programme 2007-2011

for implementation of the FAP; review the

working methods of the

group.

The work programme 2007-2011 for the implementation of the FAP developed

by the Commission services in the

context of the Inter-Service Group on Forestry and in cooperation with the

SFC, serving as a basis for establishing

yearly work programmes (activity 13.1).

By the mid-term in 2009, most activities have been carried out as defined in the EU FAP

work programme. Coordinators – or rather contact persons in the relevant DGs – have been

appointed and the list of contact persons has been presented to the SFC in 2007. There are 14

DGs in the contact list, thus the same DGs as in the ISG on forestry, excluding DG ENLARG

and SG. The list indicates the name of the contact person, position, DG and Unit. The list

does not give information on a specific field of operation in relation to the EU FAP or its Key

Actions, activities or topics. The SFC and the AGFC are regularly informed about

developments on relevant policy areas by the respective DGs, for example, the forest-based

industry related matters by DG ENTR, biomass by DG TREN, biodiversity goals by DG

ENV and so on. The ISG on forestry participated in preparing the SFC work programme

2007-2011. DG AGRI drafts the SFC annual work programmes and the draft is discussed at

the ISG on forestry before it is finalised in the SFC together with the Member States. To the

knowledge of the evaluation team the working methods of the group have not been reviewed

so far (activity 14.3).

According to the logic of the intersectoral coordination scale, the failures in coordination

could be avoided or alleviated and solved with the capacities available in the lower levels of

coordination. The above description shows that in principle there are lower-level capacities

built up for implementation of the EU FAP, and the Action Plan itself has created and

strengthened the mechanisms to improve coordination. This is also confirmed in the mid-term

evaluation interviews with the Commission representatives: coordination within Commission

has improved due to the implementation of the EU FAP. There is a structured manner to

communicate and share information between parallel initiatives and actions. The EU FAP

work programme 2007-2011 gives a framework to the discussions, and the themes defined

for the annual SFC work programmes can be utilised to mobilise a specific area of expertise

to participate in the implementation of the EU FAP (incl. information sharing to the SFC and

AGFC).

However, the feedback from Member States shows practical examples where the

coordination has not functioned but the initiatives prepared in different DGs have led to

contradicting requirements to the forest sector (e.g. sustainaibility criteria to forest products).

Also two parallel interservice groups for coordination of forest-related matters in the


Commission raise questions. Member States and stakeholders point out that although the

coordination within the Commission has improved, there is not a holistic enough approach to

the forest sector. The increased demands for forests, e.g. by the renewable energy,

biodiversity and other targets would require more coherence at all levels of coordination,

including the initiatives and actions within the Commission.

4. Commission DGs and the EU FAP Key Actions

There are 18 Key Actions in the EU FAP, under the main responsibility of DG AGRI, with

environment related issues in coordination with DG ENV and forest-based industry related

issues in association with DG ENTR. The ISG on forestry includes representatives of 16

DGs. The following table summarises how the 16 DGs of the ISG on forestry are involved in

the implementation of the EU FAP Key Actions. The description is based on information

collected in the mid-term evaluation. In other words, this is not an official definition of tasks.

Neither should it be read as an exhaustive but rather as an illustrative presentation on how the

Commission DGs are involved in the implementation of the EU FAP.

Table 3: Involvement of Commission DGs in the implementation of the EU FAP Key Actions (KA),

including indication of the role in implementation of the EU forestry strategy (ref. 2001).

Key Actions (titles shortened)

dg

agri

dg

env

dg

entr

dg

tre

n

dg

san

co

jrc

dg

esta

t

dg

rtd

dg

dev

dg

trad

e

dg

emp

l

dg

mar

kt

dg

regi

o

dg

com

p

dg

enla

rg

SG

Forestry

strategy

(ref.2001)

KA1 effects of globalisation X X X

KA2 RTD to enhance

competitivenessX X X X

KA3 non-wood forest goods and

servicesX X X X X X

KA4 forest biomass (energy

generation)X X X X X

X

KA5 forest owner cooperation,

education and trainingX X X X

KA6 climate change and Kyoto

protocolX X X X X X

DG ENV (+DG

AGRI)

KA7 biodiversity objectives 2010

and beyondX X X X

DG ENV & DG

AGRI

KA8 forest monitoring system X X X X X

DG ENV

KA9 enhance protection of EU

forests X X X X X

DG ENV

KA10 environmental education and

informationX X X X

KA11 protective functions of forests X X

X

KA12 urban and peri-urban forests X

X

KA13 strengthening SFC X X X X X X X X X XDG AGRI & DG

ENV +DG ENTR

KA14 strengthening coordination

between policy areasX X X X X X X X X X X X X

DG AGRI

KA15 OMC to NFPs X

KA16 EU profile in international

forest-related processesX X X X X

DG AGRI & DG

ENV +DG ENTR

KA17 encourage use of wood from

SMF X X X X X X X X

DG ENV & DG

AGRI +DG ENTR

KA18 information exchange and

communicationX X X X

DG AGRI

Ob

ject

ive

1 c

om

pet

itiv

enes

sO

bje

ctiv

e 2

en

viro

nm

ent

Ob

ject

ive

3 q

ual

ity

of

life

Ob

ject

ive

4 c

oo

rdin

atio

n &

com

mu

nic

atio

n


Explanation for the table DG AGRI general follow-up of the EU forestry strategy; all EU FAP objectives 1-4, though objective 2

under DG ENV coordination, and objective 3 not started (Member State initiative)

DG ENV coordination of the EU FAP Objective 2; and involvement also in objective 1 (KA 1-4: green

credential as comparative advantage to forest sector; energy efficiency and environmental

friendly production technologies; nwfgs valuation; biomass sustainability criteria) and

objective 4 (KA16-17: international processes; GPP and FLEGT) All in all about ten DG ENV

units are involved in the EU FAP themes.

DG ENTR issues related to forest-based industries i.e. Objective 1 (globalisation, RTD incl. FTP, energy,

wood mobilisation, nwfgs) and objective 4 (KA17 FBI communication); partly involved also

in Objective 2 (incl. KA6.3 climate change study steering group) and Objective 3 (public

perceptions, forest-based industries).

DG TREN energy issues, mainly involvement in objective 1 KA4 (renewable energy RES, Biomass

Action Plan and national BAPs), but also KA2 (Biofuel Technology Platform and research

related matters by another unit within DG TREN) and KA17 (sustainable use of resources).

DG SANCO issues in relation to plants and seeds (incl. nwfgs), plant health, pests and phytosanitary

questions in principle in all objectives 1-4 (DG SANCO covers also consumer protection

issues)

JRC contribution to Objectives 2 and 4 (forest monitoring, data and information systems, EFICP);

marginal involvement in Objective 1 (e.g. nwfgs & information provision), specific studies

DG ESTAT no direct contribution (production & trade data, forest accounts; UNECE/FAO data; JRC data)

DG RTD objective 1 (KA2), possibly research in other themes too in relation to objectives 1-3 (KA11)

DG DEV no direct involvement: Flegt, global and development issues

DG TRADE no direct involvement: Flegt, trade negotiations, third countries

DG EMPL no direct involvement (in principle relevant in relation to Objective 3 e.g. tourism and forests

for recreational purposes; in relation to objective 1 Social Dialogue Committees; in relation to

objective 4 PP guidelines and sustainability indicators)

DG MARKT no direct involvement (terms of reference of SFC Working Group on Public Procurement of

Timber)

DG REGIO no direct involvement (financing of cohesion policy and regional projects; ERDF,

INTERREG, EUSF, topics e.g. natural risk prevention, fire, RES incl. wood biomass, climate

change, protective functions)

DG COMP no direct involvement (competition policy, State Aid etc. questions)

DG ENLARG (preaccession negotiations and instruments, Sapard)

SG (coordination and coherence)

The EU FAP refers to several parallel Community Actions (e.g. the Biomass Action Plan, the

Biodiversity Action Plan, the FLEGT Action Plan and the FBI communication). These

actions are coordinated by different Commission DGs. Building the parallel actions towards a

more holistic approach to the EU forest sector is not a task that can be accomplished by

improving the coordination within the Commission only. The more holistic approach would

need to build up in all levels of coordination and policy formulation in the EU.

The mid-term evaluation feedback showed that there are also themes and topics in the EU

FAP Work Programme which are not easy to place under one specific sector of operation.

These themes fall between several sectors – not only in the operation of the Commission, but

also at the national level between several Ministries. An example of such theme is the

environmental education, which covers environment, education and SFM questions but has

also to do with promoting the forest sector and the forest products and services, thus

including the FBI-related communication questions. Another example is the forest science

forum, which falls between the administrative sectors of research and forests, again including


forestry as well as forest-based sector at large. It is not clear who should act as a leading actor

in these themes, and how an initiative would become a part of the EU FAP. For example, the

Forest Communicators Network is an existing structure outside the EU FAP, but it has

defined as one of its goals to support the EU FAP Key Action 10 environmental education

and the Key Action 18 forest sector communication strategy. Two DGs participate in the

network (DG AGRI and DG ENTR), but the network seems to remain as a parallel activity to

the EU FAP.

Furthermore, the same question comes apparent with regard to the EU FAP themes which

would interest several Member States, but not necessarily all EU27, and even so, not

necessarily as a national, but more likely as a sub-national theme. The Key Action 9 aims at

forming groupings of Member States to study particular regional problems with the condition

of forests. Also the EU FAP Objective 3 themes on e.g. mountain forests, water and soil

protection or the themes of urban and peri-urban forests would be interesting for several

countries, but there is no specific method or procedure as to how a regional activity could be

an EU FAP activity. This issue is not directly about coordination within the Commission, but

coordination within the Commission is needed to define the solutions how to trigger Member

State action and to give institutional support (incl. identification of possible means for

financing of such groupings). The themes and topics might already be found in the NFPs in

the Member States, but the EU FAP – or the EU Forestry Strategy – does not give the

Commission further building blocks to define the actions for the EU FAP goals. Initiative

would need to come from the Member States.

5. Conclusions

There are structures and mechanisms to improve coordination within the EU Commission,

and the EU FAP has created and strengthened them e.g. by creating structured information

sharing mechanisms. The forest-related issues are handled in several policy areas, and it is

crucial to target for a more coherent approach. This would require more efficient use of the

existing structures and mechanisms for cooperation and coordination also within the

Commission.

In order to make the EU FAP to achieve its goals, the different levels of operation i.e. the EU

and its institutions, Member States, but also sub-national level actors and the stakeholders

would need to be mobilised for the exercise. This requires collaborative partnership. The

definition of “coordination” can be understood in several ways – but ownership of an EU

Action can be built only in an open dialogue and with a participatory approach.


References

Mid-term evaluation surveys: information collected with the interviews and questionnaires

(Commission, Member States and stakeholders)

Mid-term evaluation document reviews:

Inter service group on forestry meetings 2006-2009

Standing Forestry Committee meetings 2006-2009

Advisory Committee on Forestry and Cork meetings 2006-2009

EU FAP multiannual work programme 2007-2011

COM(2006) 302 Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European

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SEC(2006) 748

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Annex 5: List of themes and topics of new emerging issues for consideration of the EU FAP in the future

In the mid-term evaluation of the EU FAP interviews and questionnaires were used to collect

information and assessments from the Member States (representatives of the SFC), from the

stakeholders (representatives of the AGFC as the main target group) and from the

Commission departments and services (14 DGs in total). As part of the questions concerning

relevance assessment of the EU FAP, there was a question: Are there any new emerging

forest-related issues which should be covered by the Action Plan in the future? This is a

summary of the responses given by the above mentioned three target groups.

Even though several respondents pointed out that the list of themes and activities included in

the EU FAP Work Programme is already very extensive and requires restructuring and better

focusing for the remaining 2009-2011, also new issues were brought up. These issues are

either given as issues missing from the list of activities or issues increasing in importance in

the near future.

The respondents gave two approaches how to deal with the emerging issues during the

remaining implementation period of the EU FAP (2009-2011):

a) Take the new emerging issues in consideration when preparing the post-2011 follow

up of the EU FAP. In other words, the remaining 2009-2011 should concentrate on

existing activities in the EU FAO Work Programme and make the outputs (e.g. the

studies and recommendations) into practice as concrete actions.

b) Increase flexibility of the EU FAP Work Programme and adjust it during 2009-2011

so that the emerging issues can be added on a continuous basis.

Mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the EU Forest Action Plan Annexes of the final report – Annex 5: List of themes and topics 87

Themes related to Objective 1: competitiveness

- Economic development, incl. studies on the impact of the current economic crisis on

the forest sector and its competitiveness, analysis on the structural changes and factors

of change and proposals for action to improve the forest sector competitiveness

- Rural (economic) development and forests, incl. financing instruments and CAP,

land-use and forestry, ownership questions, agri-forestry issues

- Wood supply, e.g. wood production, incl. plantation forests, methods and incentives

for wood mobilisation, fragmentation of forests

- Bioenergy, renewable energy sources at large, including e.g. climate change, carbon

cycles (analysis of both economic and ecological aspects)

- Innovation and new emerging issues e.g. the Lead Market initiative

- Labour force questions; competencies and qualifications

Themes related to Objective 2: environment

- Climate change mitigation, effects and adaptation

- Forest and water, European forests and rain patterns / changes to hydrological regimes

- Exotic trees, invasive alien species and newly appearing harmful organisms

- Decline of forest genetic resources, causing higher exposure to pests and diseases

- Biodiversity; scarcity of undisturbed forests and forest wilderness areas

- Protection and ecosystem services, incl. financial tools ensuring effective preservation

and conservation

- Clearcutting and its impact on biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions

- Non-productive functions of forests, ecosystem services; public goods, incl. financial

incentives and schemes

- Fragmentation of forests (analysis of both ecological and economic aspects)

- Storms and wind throw (incl. land-use questions, economic and biodiversity loss)

- Forest fires incl. protective functions of forests, development of concrete actions to

increase prevention measures; insurance schemes; disaster prevention and European

funds; forest rehabilitation on forest burnt areas

- Excessive game density preventing natural regeneration of forests; illegal grazing

- Benchmarks relating to criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management

Themes related to Objective 3: quality of life

- Promotion of wood and forest products, incl. wood and new techniques e.g. green

construction; consumer attitudes

- Environmental education, cooperation between institutions of environmental

education

- Forests, recreation and health; forests and culture heritage

Themes related to Objective 4: coordination, coherence, communication

- Climate change both as a European issue and a global issue – forest sector

communication: “local action – global impact”

- Analysis of forest sector and interrelated policies (e.g. the targets set by the EU

incentives for forests bioenergy, climate change mitigation, biodiversity, timber);

proposals how to improve the policy coordination

- Governance and science: mobilisation of policy-science-practice triangle

- Feasibility analysis of legally binding instrument on forests in Europe

- Sustainable forest management SFM: promotion and practices; regional forest policies

(e.g. Mediterranean region); NFPs as instrument to tackle global challenges;

economical, ecological and social aspects of sustainability (incl. land use conflicts)

- Post-FAP preparations, incl. preparation of the EU budgetary period after 2013




Annex 6: List of materials

This list of materials was compiled as part of the EU FAP mid-term evaluation. Materials are grouped

by the 11 Evaluation Questions defined for the analysis.

List of contents

Evaluation Questions 1-2: Key Actions 1-5 (EU FAP Objective 1) 89 Evaluation Question 3: Key Actions 6-7 (EU FAP Objective 2) 91 Evaluation Question 4: Key Actions 8-9 (EU FAP Objective 2) 93 Evaluation Question 5: Key Actions 10-12 (EU FAP Objective 3) 94 Evaluation Question 6: Key Action 13 (EU FAP Objective 4) 95 Evaluation Question 7: Key Action 14 (EU FAP Objective 4) 96 Evaluation Question 8: Key Actions 15 and 17 (EU FAP Objective 4) 96 Evaluation Question 9: Key Action 16 (EU FAP Objective 4) 97 Evaluation Question 10: Key Action 18 (EU FAP Objective 4) 98 Evaluation Question 11: Relevance of the EU FAP 99

Mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the EU Forest Action Plan Annexes of the final report – Annex 6: List of materials 89

Evaluation Questions 1-2: Key Actions 1-5 (EU FAP Objective 1)

Meeting minutes of the SFC, AGFC and ISG on forestry.

Meeting materials of the SFC ad hoc Working Group on valuation and compensation methods of non-

wood forest goods and services, and the SFC ad hoc Working Group on mobilisation and efficient use

of wood and wood residues for energy generation

Work programme of the EU FAP 2007-2011 and the Work programmes of SFC 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Commission of the European Communities (1999) Communication from the Commission to the

Council, the European Parliament the Economic and Social Committee and the

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MFRA 2010-2012 A Mediterranean Forest Research Agenda (FTP)

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WoodWisdom-Net 2 (2009-2012) [http://www.woodwisdom.net/]

Evaluation Question 3: Key Actions 6-7 (EU FAP Objective 2)


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Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and

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Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and

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EU Biodiversity Action Plan


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European Parliament and the Council on Reinforcing the Union's Disaster Response

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European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and

the Committee of the Regions on A Community approach on the prevention of natural

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solutions” Open Days – European Week of Regions and Cities, Brussels, 6-9 October

2008

Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003

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[https://secure.csl.gov.uk/pratique/index.cfm]

EU Project (Life+) FutMon [http://futmon.org/]

European Forest Data Centre (EFDAC) [http://efdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/]

European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) [http://effis.jrc.it]

European Forest Information and Communication Platform (EFICP)

[http://eficp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/EFICP/]


GreenForce Network [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/greenforce/index_en.htm]


Study on “How to protect forest against harmful impacts” (2008-2009, study commissioned by DG

ENV) [http://portal.uni-freiburg.de/ifp/FuU-en/research-en/project-

en/euneu/view?set_language=en]




Finnish Forest Research Institute: Welfare Effects of Forests 2008-2012 A research programme by the

Finnish Forest Research Institute, Metla [http://www.metla.fi/ohjelma/hyv/esite-en.pdf]

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/forests/fpolicies.htm

http://portal.uni-freiburg.de/ifp/FuU-en/research-en/project-en/euneu/view?set_language=en

http://portal.uni-freiburg.de/ifp/FuU-en/research-en/project-en/euneu/view?set_language=en


Janse, G., Konijnendijk, C.C. (2007) Communication between science, policy and citizens in public

participation in urban forestry - Experiences from the Neighbourwoods project. Urban

Forestry & Urban Greening 6 (1): 23-40.

Konijnendijk, C.C., Nielsen, A.B., Schipperijn, J., Rosenblad, Y., Sander, H., Sarv, M., Mäkinen, K.,

Tyrväinen, L., Donis, J., Gundersen, V., Åkerlund U. and Gustavsson, R. (2007)

Assessment of urban forestry research and research needs in Nordic and Baltic countries

in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Volume 6, Issue 4, 15 November 2007, Pages 297-

309.

UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators Network (2008) FCN Mandate 2008 to 2013. Proposal of

Bilbao, 15 May 2008 [http://www.unece.org/timber/pr/docs/2008-draft-mandate.pdf]

Websites:


Cost actions database [http://www.cost.esf.org/domains_actions/all_actions]

COST E33 Forests for Recreation and Nature Tourism

[http://www.openspace.eca.ac.uk/coste33/welcome.htm]

COST E39 Forests, Trees and Human Health and Wellbeing [http://www.e39.ee/]


European Forum on Urban Forestry (EFUF) [http://www.efuf.org/]

European Network for Qualification in Forestry [http://www.enquafor.com/]

Interreg IVC projects [http://www.interreg4c.net/Projects.html] – other INTERREG projects (2000-

2006 and 2007-2013) from programme-specific webpages [further information from

http://www.interact-eu.net/etc/4]

Leonardo da Vinci project and product portal ADAM [http://www.adam-europe.eu/]

Life projects database [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm]


UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators Network [http://timber.unece.org/index.php?id=95]

Evaluation Question 6: Key Action 13 (EU FAP Objective 4)



Commission Decision (97/837/EC) of 9 December 1997 amending Decision 83/247/EEC setting up a

committee on Community policy regarding forestry and forestry-based industries. (OJ L

346, 17.12.1997, p. 95)

Council Decision (89/367/EEC) of 29 May 1989 setting up a Standing Forestry Committee. (OJ L

165, 15.6.1989, p. 14-15)

Commission Decision (2004/391/EC) of 23 April 2004 on the advisory groups dealing with matters

covered by the common agricultural policy. (OJ L 120, 24.4.2004, p. 50-60)

Websites:

Advisory Committee on Community Policy regarding forestry and forest based industries, meeting in

April 2009 [http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/forest_based/advisory_committee.html]


Commission website on transparency, incl. register of comitology and register of expert groups

[http://ec.europa.eu/transparency/index_en.htm]

Council of the European Union [http://www.consilium.europa.eu/]

Council of the European Union document register

[http://www.consilium.europa.eu/showPage.aspx?id=1279&lang=EN]

European Parliament document register

[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegWeb/application/registre/advancedSearch.faces]


EUR-LEX [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/]

EUR-LEX Process and players.

[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/droit_communautaire/droit_communautaire.htm]




List of contact persons in Commission DGs (SFC meeting materials 2007)

Commission internal documents and information

Websites:


Commission website on transparency, incl. register of comitology and register of expert groups

[http://ec.europa.eu/transparency/index_en.htm]

Commission Directory [http://ec.europa.eu/staffdir/plsql/gsys_page.display_index?pLang=EN]

Evaluation Question 8: Key Actions 15 and 17 (EU FAP Objective 4)



Commission of the European Communities (2001) European Governance – A White paper

COM(2001) 428, 25.7.2001








113 final, 27.2.2008. {SEC(2008) 262}



the Committee of the Regions on Public procurement for a better environment.

COM(2008) 400 final, 16.7.2008. {SEC(2008) 2124} {SEC(2008) 2125} and

{SEC(2008) 2126}



Committee of the Regions on Addressing the challenges of deforestation and forest

degradation to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss COM(2008) 645 final,

17.10.2008 with annexes {SEC(2008) 2618-2620}

Commission of the European Communities (2008) Proposal for a Regulation of the European

Parliament and of the Council on laying down the obligations of operators who place

timber and timber products on the market (presented by the Commission). COM(2008)

644 final, 17.10.2008. 2008/0198 (COD). With {SEC(2008) 2615} and {SEC(2008)

2616}


Pülzl, Helga and Nussbaumer, Eva (2006) Study about "Modes of governance" for European Forest

Policy (coordination, co-operation, and communication) University of Natural Resources

and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Forest, Environmental, and Natural

Resource Policy, Department of Economics and Social Sciences for the Federal Ministry

of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management of Austria.

Workshops:

Conference on Setting criteria for sustainable timber in public procurement in Copenhagen, 7-8 April

2008 organised by the Danish Ministry of Environment together with the Commission.

Presentations available at:

[http://www.skovognatur.dk/International/English/Forestry/Presentations.htm]

FLEGT Industry Information Meeting, in Brussels, 4 December 2008 arranged by the Commission

[http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/forest_based/news_en.html#flegt]

Workshop on Public Procurement Policy on Wood and Wood-based Products in Brussels, 13 June

2008 organised by the Commission.

Websites:




Commission website on forests [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/forests/home_en.htm]

Commission web site on Green Public procurement GPP

[http://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/index_en.htm]

Commission website on Investing in European research: Open Method of Coordination

[http://ec.europa.eu/invest-in-research/coordination/coordination01_en.htm]

Commission website on Public Procurement legislation

[http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/publicprocurement/legislation_en.htm]

European Union Eco-label web site

[http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm]

Ministerial Conference on Protection of Forests (MCPFE) Working Group on exploring the potential

added value of and possible options for a legally binding agreement (LBA) on forests in

the pan-European region [http://www.mcpfe.org/]

United Nations Forum of Forests (UNFF) ad hoc expert groups

[http://www.un.org/esa/forests/adhoc.html]





Council concerning the European Community's participation in the fifth Ministerial

Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (Warsaw, 5-7 November 2007).

COM(2007) 597 final, 12.10.2007.





17.10.2008 with annexes {SEC(2008) 2618-2620}






2616}

Websites:

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Forests [http://www.cbd.int/forest/]

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

[www.cites.org]





European and Mediterranean Plant protection Organisation (EPPO) [http://www.eppo.org]



FAO Committee on Forests COFO [http://www.fao.org/forestry/37836/en/]

Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC) [www.ipcc.ch]

Ministerial Conference on Protection of Forests MCPFE [http://www.mcpfe.org/]

UNECE Timber Committee [http://timber.unece.org/index.php?id=2]

UNECE/FAO Teams of Specialists [http://timber.unece.org/index.php?id=145]

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) [http://www.unccd.int/main.php]

United Nations Forum of Forests UNFF [http://www.un.org/esa/forests/]

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

[http://unfccc.int/meetings/items/2654.php]


Janse G. (2007) Communication in forest policy decision-making in Europe: a study on

communication processes between policy, science and the public University of Joensuu,

Faculty of Forest Sciences, Academic dissertation. Dissertationes Forestales 48/2007.

Rametsteiner, E. and Kraxner, F. (2003) Europeans and Their Forests - What Do Europeans Think

About Forests and Sustainable Forest Management? A Review of Representative Public

Opinion Surveys in Europe. MCPFE 2003.

Rametsteiner, E., Oberwimmer, R. and Gschwandtl I. (2007) Europeans and Wood – What Do

Europeans Think About Wood and its Uses? A Review of Consumer and Business

Surveys in Europe. MCPFE 2007

UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators' Network (2008) Best Practices in Forest Communication,

Edited G. Janse. June 2008.

Events:

European Forest Week web site [http://www.europeanforestweek.org/home/en/]

Forest Day 3 web site [http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/events/forestday3]

Green Week web site [http://greenweek2009.alligence.com/home.html]

International Year of Forests 2011 [http://www.un.org/esa/forests/2011/2011.html]

UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators' Network (FCN) Workshop in Support of the EU Forest Action

Plan “Taking us out of the woods” Communication on Forests and Forestry, June 3-5,

2009

Websites:



Commission website on forest and illegal logging

[http://ec.europa.eu/development/policies/9interventionareas/environment/forest/forestry

_intro_en.cfm]




Commission website on Seeds and Plant Propagating Material – Forests

[http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/propagation/forestry/index_en.htm]

European Forest Information and Communication Platform (EFICP)

[http://eficp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/EFICP/]

Eurostat: forestry statistics [http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/forestry/introduction]


UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators' Network (FCN) [http://timber.unece.org/index.php?id=95 incl.

publications and products available at

http://www.unece.org/timber/pr/publist/pubslist.htm]

Evaluation Question 11: Relevance of the EU FAP

Commission of the European Communities (1988) Commission Communication on Community

Strategy and Action Programme for the Forestry Sector. COM(88) 255 final, 11.11.1988.


Council, the European Parliament the Economic and Social Committee and the

Committee of the Regions on A Forestry Staretgy for the European Union. COM(1998)

649 final, 18.11.1998.



Committee of the Regions on the sixth environment action programme of the European

Community 'Environment 2010: Our future, Our choice' - The Sixth Environment Action

Programme. Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on

Laying down the Community Environment Action Programme 2001-2010 (Presented by

the Commission). COM (2001) 31 final, 24.1.2001. 2001/0029 (COD).


Council and the European Parliament on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and

Trade (FLEGT). Proposal for an EU Action Plan.COM (2003) 251 final, 21.5.2003.


Council and the European Parliament on Reporting on the implementation of the EU

Forestry Strategy. COM(2005) 84 final, 10.3.2005, with annexed Commission Staff

working document {SEC(2005) 333}.

Commission of the European Communities (2005) Communication from the Commission on Biomass

action plan. COM(2005) 628 final, 7.12.2005. {SEC(2005) 1573}


Council and the European Parliament on the review of the Sustainable Development

Strategy. A platform for action. COM(2005) 658 final, 13.12.2005.

Commission of the European Communities (2006) Communication from the Commission on Halting

the Loss of Biodiversity by 2010 – and beyond. Sustaining ecosystem services for human

well-being. COM(2006)216 final, 22.5.2006.


Council and the European Parliament on an EU Forest Action Plan, COM(2006) 302

final, 15.6.2006; with Commission Staff Working Document. Annex to the

Communication on an EU Forest Action Plan {SEC(2006) 748}



Committee of the Regions on the Mid-term review of the Sixth Community Environment

Action Programme COM(2007) 225 final, 30.4.2007.

Commission of the European Communities (2007) Green Paper from the Commission to the Council,

the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the


Regions on Adapting to climate change in Europe – options for EU action. COM(2007)

354 final, 29.6.2007. {SEC(2007) 849}



Committee of the Regions on 20 20 by 2020 Europe's climate change opportunity.

COM(2008) 30 final, 23.1.2008. {COM(2008) 13 final} {COM(2008) 16 final}

{COM(2008) 17 final} {COM(2008) 18 final} {COM(2008) 19 final}








113 final, 27.2.2008. {SEC(2008) 262}



the Committee of the Regions on Public procurement for a better environment.

COM(2008) 400 final, 16.7.2008. {SEC(2008) 2124} {SEC(2008) 2125} and

{SEC(2008) 2126}





17.10.2008 with annexes {SEC(2008) 2618-2620}





2616}



Committee of the Regions on A Mid-term Assessment of Implementing the EC

Biodiversity Action Plan. COM(2008) 864 final, 16.12.2008 with annexes {SEC(2008)

3042-3045}



Committee of the Regions on Towards a comprehensive climate change agreement in

Copenhagen. COM(2009) 39 final, 28.1.2009. {SEC(2009) 101} and {SEC(2009) 102}

Commission of the European Communities (2009) White Paper on Adapting to climate change:

Towards a European framework for action. COM(2009) 147 final, 1.4.2009. with

{SEC(2009) 386} {SEC(2009) 387} and {SEC(2009) 388}



Committee of the Regions on Mainstreaming sustainable development into EU policies:

2009 Review of the European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development. COM(2009)

400 final, 24.7.2009

Commission Decision (97/837/EC) of 9 December 1997 amending Decision 83/247/EEC setting up a

committee on Community policy regarding forestry and forestry-based industries. (OJ L

346, 17.12.1997, p. 95)

Commission Decision (2004/391/EC) of 23 April 2004 on the advisory groups dealing with matters

covered by the common agricultural policy. (OJ L 120, 24.4.2004, p. 50-60)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87

and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the


production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001. OJ L

358 of 16.12.2006, p. 3-20)

Commission: Community guidelines for state aid in the agriculture and forestry sector 2007 to 2013

(OJ C 319 of 27.12.2006, p.1-33).

Committee of Regions (2006) Opinion of the Committee of the regions on the Commission

Communication on the implementation of the EU Forestry Strategy (OJ C 115,

16.5.2006, p. 84-87).

Council conclusions on an EU Forest Action Plan (Agriculture and Fisheries Council on May 30 and

31, 2005) [http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/fore/publi/2005_council_conclusions.pdf]

Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds. (OJ L 103,

25.4.1979, p. 1-18)

Council Decision (89/367/EEC) of 29 May 1989 setting up a Standing Forestry Committee. (OJ L

165, 15.6.1989, p. 14-15)

Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on

the market. ( OJ L 230, 19.8.1991, p. 1-32)

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild

fauna and flora. (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7).

Council Directive 1999/105/EC of 22 December 1999 on the marketing of forest reproductive

material. (OJ L 11, 15.1.2000, p.17-40)

Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the

Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread

within the Community. (OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1)

Council Regulation (EC) No 322/97 of 17 February 1997 on Community Statistics.

Council Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 of 27 June 2005 applying a scheme of generalised tariff

preferences. (OJ L 169, 30.6.2005, p.1-43)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural development by

the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), OJ L 277 of

21.10.2005, p. 1-40.

Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 of 20 December 2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT

licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community (OJ L 347,

30.12.2005, p. 1-6)

Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 of 22 July 2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff

preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 and amending

Regulations (EC) No 552/97, (EC) No 1933/2006 and Commission Regulations (EC) No

1100/2006 and (EC) No 964/2007. (OJ L 21, 6.8.2008, p. 1-39)

Council Resolution on a Forestry Strategy for the European Union, 15 December 1998, (1999/C 56/01)

[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/pri/en/oj/dat/1999/c_056/c_05619990226en00010004.pdf]

Decision No 1600/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 July 2002 laying

down the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme (OJ L 242, 10.9.2002).

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006

concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for

research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L

412, 30.12.2006, p.1-41)

Decision No 1578/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2007 on

the Community statistical programme 2008 to 2012 (OJ L 344, 28.12.2007, p. 15-43)

Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing

a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p.

1-73)

Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the

promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently

repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC (OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 16-62)


Development Regulation 1698/2005 for the period 2007-2013. DG Agriculture and Rural




European Council (2006) Renewed EU Sustainable Development Strategy. Adopted by the European

Council on 15/16 June 2006. European Council DOC 10917/06


Committee on the Commission Communication to the Council and to the European

Parliament Reporting on the implementation of the EU Forestry Strategy (OJ C 28,

3.2.2006 p. 57-65)


Committee on the Commission Communication to the Council and to the European

Parliament on an EU Forest Action Plan (OJ C 324, 30.12.2006, p. 29-22)

European Environment Agency (2008) European Forests – ecosystem conditions and sustainable use.

EEA Report 3/2008.

European Parliament (1997): Report on the European Union‟s forestry strategy. Rapporteur: David E.

Thomas, Committee on Agriculture and Rural development, 18.12.1996 (A4-0414/96).

European Parliament (2006): Report on the implementation of a European Union forestry strategy

(2005/2054(INI)). Rapporteur: Heinz Kindermann, Committee on Agriculture and Rural

development, 31.1.2006 (A6-0015/2006).

European Parliament Fact Sheets (2008) Forestry policy: The European Forestry Strategy: Framework

& Principles and Action.

[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/parliament/expert/displayFtu.do?language=EN&id=74

&ftuId=index.html]

Lazdinis, M., Zimmermann, W. and Van de Velde, J. (2005): Participation in EU Forest governance:

Present institutional framework and a path for improvement. Paper presented in 2005

Berlin Conference on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change

“International Organisations and Global Environmental Governance”, 2-3 December

2005, Berlin.

[http://web.fu-berlin.de/ffu/akumwelt/bc2005/papers/lazdinis_zimmermann_van-de-

velde_bc2005.pdf]

Lazdinis, M. (2008): From the EU Forestry Strategy to the EU Forest Action Plan. Presentation in the

VI Forum on Forest Policy: Forests and Society in a Global Change Framework –

Challenges and Opportunities, 4-6 November 2008, Solsona (Lleida, Spain).

[http://www.ctfc.es/forumpf08/docs/31ArticleLazdinisENG.pdf]




Pülzl, Helga and Nussbaumer, Eva (2006) Study about "Modes of governance" for European Forest

Policy (coordination, co-operation, and communication) University of Natural Resources

and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, Institute of Forest, Environmental, and Natural

Resource Policy, Department of Economics and Social Sciences for the Federal Ministry

of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management of Austria.

Regulation (EC) 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on

maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin

and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC. (OJ L 70, 16.3.2005, p. 1-16)

Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the

European Regional Development Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999.

(OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p.1-11)

Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of 18 December 2006

establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation. (OJ L 378, 27.12.2006,

p. 41-71)

Regulation (EC) No 614/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 May 2007

concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE+) (OJ L 149, 9.6.2007,

p. 1-17)

Rey, G. and Mahé, M. (2005). Perspectives pour la stratégie forestière européenne Office National des

Forêts, France. A study for the European Parliament Committee of Agriculture and Rural

Development. Full text in French, summary e.g. in English: Forest Strategy Outlook.


Websites





Convention on Biological Diversity [http://www.cbd.int/]

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

[http://www.cites.org/]



European Economic and Social Committee document register

[http://europa.eu/documents/eesc/index_en.htm]



Eurostat [http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home]

EUR-LEX [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/]

FAO forest facts by country [http://www.fao.org/forestry/country/en/]

Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe MCPFE [http://www.mcpfe.org/]

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol [http://unfccc.int/]

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification [http://www.unccd.int/]

UNECE/FAO Timber section [http://timber.unece.org/index.php?id=2]

UNECE/FAO Forest Products Annual Market Reviews [http://www.unece.org/timber/mis/fpama.htm]

Statistics (ref. report Chapter 2)

Eurostat (2007) Forestry Statistics – 2007 edition. Eurostat Pocket books.

Eurostat (2008) Production and trade of wood products in 2006. Eurostat statistics in focus 48/2008.

Eurostat (2008) Forest-based industries in the EU-27. Eurostat statistics in focus 74/2008.

Eurostat (2008) STAT/08/146, 20 October 2008 (press release in relation to the European Forest

Week 20-24 October 2008)

FAO (2006). Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005. Main Report. FAO, Rome.

[http://www.fao.org/forestry/fra2005/en/]




MCPFE (2002) Relevant Definitions used. MCPFE Advisory Group Recommendations for Improved

Pan-European Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management (Supplement 2 to ELM

June 02 – Document 8). Expert level Meeting, 10-11 June 2002, Vienna Austria.

[http://www.mcpfe.org/system/files/u1/meetings/02/06elm/Relevant_definitions.pdf]

UNECE/FAO (2009) Forest Products, Annual Market Review. Jointly prepared by UNECE and FAO,

New York and Geneva. [http://timber.unece.org/index.php?id=208]

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