Understanding EU forest policy governance through a cultural theory lens

Abstract This study employs Cultural Theory to study perceptions and conflicting worldviews of key actor groups in EU forest policy. Forests are central to different human demands for ecosystem services such as biomass, biodiversity, and climate mitigation. Tradeoffs occur between these ecosystem services, involving the necessity to set priorities. Related to increasing uncertainties inter alia caused by climate change, polarized perspectives prevail in the multi-level EU policy system regarding which evidence, whose attribution, and what optimal governance and management strategies are to be chosen for forests. At the core of these perspectives lie conflicting worldviews related to cultural biases of what is real and right. Through qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with a diverse set of forest policy actors from the EU and member state level, the research delves into their perceptions of EU forest policy, including perceived problems, preferred solutions, and assigned responsibilities, using a Cultural Theory lens. Our analysis distinguishes three groups of actors aligned with distinct elements of Cultural Theory worldviews while acknowledging the nuanced nature of these divisions. Our analysis invites readers to navigate the complexities of EU forest policy, unraveling worldviews and actor perspectives in pursuing informed policy decisions, and may eventually facilitate improved dialogue among actors considering these heterogeneous worldviews.