Comparing Nordic forest governance: Key informant perspectives

There is a growing call for comparative analyses of forest governance to facilitate knowledge exchange for the sustainable management of Nordic forest systems, addressing the needs of societal stakeholders in enhancing both the quality and quantity of forest resources. This study traces the development of nation-wide policy instruments implemented in four Nordic countries; Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark between 1970 and 2023, based on interviews among forest policy scholars and other research experts. Using an analytical framework that highlights the relations between policy intervention, change, impact, and learning, we compare central government practices and private actor initiatives in the Nordic countries that address the ecological, social, and economic values of forests. We find a common trend towards multifunctionality and soft governance as well as differences in the use of economic instruments and certification standardization. This study also considers insights into developments in Nordic forest governance, the enabling and impeding factors for past trends and outcomes and discusses the learning of this change towards equity in the multifunctional use of forests. • Between 1970 and 2023, Nordic Forest governance evolved from a more state-centered model to using soft governance principles. • Nordic countries differ in their economic instruments and forest certification standards. • There is untapped potential for sustainable forest management through payments for ecosystem services (PES) and certification schemes. • Equity concerns relate to the complexities of top-down policies and unfavorable changes in access rights. • Aligning ‘hard and soft’ governance principles remain fundamental to multifunctionality in Nordic forests.