Policy and governance of forests
Forests have an important function in future societies, especially for their ability to fulfil multiple objectives. The complexity of making forest management decisions is increasing, for example due to a diversity of policies and laws (e.g., climate, biodiversity) affecting forests, diversity of interests among public and private stakeholders, and multiple levels of legal instruments and policies - local, national, regional and global. For local communities, forests can have different values, and the loss and/or degradation of forests remains a major concern in local and national policies.
The national level of forest policy is usually linked to legal instruments and recommendations, while the international framework is usually based on norms of different origins at international, regional, and national levels.
Information from the course leader
Welcome to the course Policy and governance of forests
**Schedule **
The schedule for the course is preliminary and may be subject to change until the course begins. Mandatory sessions and examinations are typically not changed and will only be adjusted in exceptional cases.
It is important that you attend the course introduction to receive updated information about the course, schedule, objectives, examinations, and more. If you cannot attend, you need to carefully review information on the Canvas page to update yourself.
Below, you will find information that may already be useful:
**Course registration **
This course has self-registration. Self-registration opens one week before the course starts. Information on how to register can be found in the Ladok Student manual on the student web.
**Course Literature **
The course reading list is available on the course webpage. Please note that the list may be supplemented with articles and other materials until the course starts. Books and other materials not available digitally will always be listed on the reading list no later than eight weeks before the course begins. If you have special educational support and require literature in audio format, see the instructions on the student web on how to proceed.
**Educational Support **
If you are entitled to special educational support, please inform the course coordinator at the start of the course so that specific arrangements can be made, read more on the student web.
**Withdrawing from a Course **
If you wish to withdraw from the course within three weeks of the start date, you can do so yourself in Ladok. Instructions on how to proceed can be found in the Ladok Student manual. If the course has been running for more than three weeks, notify the course administrator, who will record your withdrawal in Ladok upon your approval. Failure to report withdrawal may affect your ability to take the course at a later time.
**Examinations **
You must register for examinations in Ladok. Registration closes 10 working days before the examination. It is not possible to register for the
Course evaluation
Additional course evaluations for SV0066
Academic year 2025/2026
Policy and governance of forests (SV0066-10221)
2025-10-01 - 2025-11-02
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
SV0066 Policy and governance of forests, 7.5 Credits
Policy och styrning av skogarSubjects
Forestry ScienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelAdvanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge corresponding to 120 credits including 15 credits in Forestry Sciences of which 7,5 credits in forestry science subarea Goals, Planning and Policy as well as English 6Objectives
The aim of the course is for the student to develop knowledge in key policy areas related to forests from an international perspective.
After completing the course, students are expected to be able to
- describe and analyse the international forest sector with focus on: economy, ecology, and social values.
- describe actors in international forest policy.
- identify, analyse, and evaluate international policy and legal frameworks affecting forests and forestry, including various sources of law, international agreements, voluntary frameworks (such as certification), and non-binding agreements.
- critically review and interpret, using international initiatives related to forests, the relationship of national law and policy with international law and policy.
- explain and apply theories of governance to forestry examples.
- demonstrate a good ability to argue relevant forest policy issues in speech and writing.
Content
The course aims to provide the student with a knowledge of theories and models of forest governance in an international perspective and together with creating an understanding of how international policy and law, processes and policy-based actors affect forests at the national level. At the international level, the focus is on relevant concepts in international policy and law and is related to the national forest sector. Important multilateral agreements related to forests are discussed, such as non-binding policy instruments, UN conventions (e.g. Paris Agreement, Convention on Biological Diversity), and other relevant international agreements (such as REDD+, FLEGT). Furthermore, other international collaborations related to forests are discussed, such as voluntary certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The course also discusses market and non-market-based policy instruments, together with legal ones to understand how international policy and law affect forests at the national level.
Implementation:
The course is based on learning activities including e.g., lectures, case studies, seminars, guest lectures, oral presentations, and written assignments. Activities can be individual- or group-based.
The following elements are compulsory:
- Some lectures
- Seminars
Cooperation with the surrounding society takes place through
- External lectures
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Approved oral and written presentation of project work and completed compulsory elements.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
SLU is certified in accordance with PRIME-principles, Principles for Responsible Management Education (http://www.unprme.org/). Further, SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses covers knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the triple bottom line, environmental social and financial value creation. To further strengthen this, we have specific sustainability goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to sustainability improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage www.slu.se.Responsible department
Department of forest bioeconomy and technology