ATTITUDES AND WILLINGNESS OF PUBLIC FOREST MANAGERS TO PRODUCE AND SELL GOODS AND SERVICES: THE CASE OF CARBON CREDIT MARKET IN EUROPEAN NATURAL PARKS

Forests have an important role for climate change mitigation; indeed, they act as carbon sinks.So, a carbon-oriented management of forests should help to provide relevant environmental benefits but also can have economic spin-offs in enhancing one of the ecosystem services provided by forests, such as carbon storage.In this sense, the creation of a voluntary market for carbon credits in forestry, also recently regulated in Europe, can represent a good economic alternative especially in forests where the productive purpose is not among the main ones, such as in some publicly owned areas.This study aims to analyse the intentions and willingness of European Natural parks managers to apply a forest management system for carbon offset production and consequently to participate in the carbon market.For this propose the Theory of Planned Behaviour was applied.Results show that attitude and perceived behavioural control have a statistically significant influence on managers' intention to participate in voluntary carbon market.On the other hand, subjective norms do not have a statistically significant influence.Moreover, findings suggest that knowledge of the topic still needs to be deepened by respondents.This should offer valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners to diffuse and promote participation in voluntary carbon markets, intensifying dissemination and assistance towards the adoption of carbon-oriented forest practices