Forest Policy 2020

Switzerland

Executive

Policy

Passed in 2013

Switzerland's Forest Policy 2020 sets out visions, objectives and measures for the sustainable management of forests in Switzerland. It formulates provisions for the optimal coordination of the ecological, economic and social demands on the forest, in order to ensure sustainable forest management and create favourable conditions for an efficient and innovative forestry and wood industry.

The Policy defines a total of eleven policy objectives, including climate change. It also formulates various strategic guidelines and measures for each objective. The primary responsibility for these measures lies with the federal authorities, however the role of the cantons and other actors is also addressed.

In relation to climate change, the Policy provides that forest management and wood use shall contribute to mitigation, but also acknowledges that climate change is likely to have a strong impact on forest ecosystems. It sets out strategic directions and measures including studying the impacts of climate change and improving forest resilience, but concludes that the existing legal bases are fundamentally sufficient.

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