REIMAGINING FOREST POLICY, INSTITUTIONS AND INSTRUMENTS THROUGH CONCEPTS OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND SOCIAL INNOVATIONS: A FOCUS ON UKRAINE

M P Melnykovych,M S Nijnik,A M Deyneka,I P Soloviy

doi:10.15421/40270812

Abstract

The reality of forest sector in Ukraine doesn't correspond fully to high societal expectations. The issues of illegal logging and corruption, management of multiple ecosystem services, the recent ban on round wood export, a lack of transparency have become a concern not only for NGOs but also for mass-media and local communities. It has caused an increase of forest conflicts and worsening of the attitudes towards forestry profession. Institutional transformations in the sector have started and positive trends are observed, but the rules of the game have not changed substantially so far. Additionally, administrative and financial decentralization has not been achieved. Forest policy is strongly state-oriented and follows a top-down approach of organization, although public boards have been introduced to advise regional and central offices of the Agency of Forest Resources. There is a lack of policy coordination and weak cross-sectoral coordination. Although market instruments have been increasingly applied and certification efforts have been intensified, there is still room for deliberately involving governmental, civil society and private sector actors. Analysis of laws, governmental programs and its practical implementation shows that previous policies and strategies did not take into account full range of ecosystem services and the climate change implications on forest management. The evolution of forest policy as a science and as a process is analysed from different perspectives. It is concluded that the principles of ecological economics should be considered as a theoretical foundation for the creation of effective international, national and regional forest policies. The conditions defined would promote that forest policy would correspond to societal expectations. Especial attention is paid to policiy development which integrate ecosystem services in decision-making and stimulate social innovation to overcome the government and market failures.

Highlights

Combined influences of globalization and transitional processes create specific challenges for forest policy in former transitional economy countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) including adaptation of forestry sector and wood industry to global markets and market economy, controlled changes in forest ownership, restructuring of state forest services, and conservation of forests by applying new instruments in changing conditions.Generally, former forest policies in the region can be described as non-participatory, non-democratic, and centralized – with total public ownership and distribution
It is surprisingly that the first definition of forest policy we found in literature already reflects the nature of forest policy as a scientific doctrine "Forest policy is a doctrine about societal and economic importance of the forests and forestry for the state and national economy " (Von Enders, 1905)
The true and sustainable contribution of forests to human wellbeings can only be achieved through a holistic approach and understanding of forests that captures the interconnectedness and interdependencies of its various aspects including the social, cultural, spiritual, economic and environmental values of forests

Summary

Introduction

Combined influences of globalization and transitional processes create specific challenges for forest policy in former transitional economy countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) including adaptation of forestry sector and wood industry to global markets and market economy, controlled changes in forest ownership, restructuring of state forest services, and conservation of forests by applying new instruments in changing conditions. Ukrainian and international environmental NGOs (WWF, IUCN, Green Cross Society and others) are increasingly interested in environmental and social impacts of forestry activities Timber companies and their associations are new and are a growing player in a forest policy arena. Effective institutional mechanisms for the involvement of all stakeholders in decision-making process related to implementation of forest policy have not been developed. The recently developed strategy, "Strategy for sustainable development and institutional reform of the forestry and wildlife management in Ukraine for the period up to 2022 (State Forest Resource Agency, 2017), currently publicly includes several positive updates. It misses mechanisms for ecosystem services market development and policies for integration of social innovations It oppose proposed by the Government (Ministry of Economics), a concessional model of forest sector development which is totally unacceptable by a majority of forest stakeholders. It doesn't propose a really efficient institutional mechanism

Lack of entrepreneurial skills

Over exploitation of resources

Political agendas that change with election cycles

Conclusions