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Chair of Forest and Environmental Policy

Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources

Chair of Forest and Environmental Policy

Abkürzung der Fakultät für Umwelt und Natürliche Ressourcen "unr" in der Farbe sand auf grünem, kreisförmigen Hintergrund

We carry out research and academic education within the field of forest and environmental policy. Our work is placed in applied social sciences covering forest-, climate-, water- and nature conservation policy at different policy levels. We are in particular interested in issues relevant for different political sectors, such as sustainability or bioeconomy.

Latest News

Publication

The EU as a green normative power? Unpacking dynamics of norm diffusion in forest biodiversity politics

New publication by Antonio Basilicata and Simon Fleckenstein in the journal Policy Sciences (Springer Nature): The article examines how forest biodiversity-related norms that emerged or were promoted under the European Green Deal, particularly through the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the EU Forest Strategy for 2030, are reflected in national forest and biodiversity strategies in Germany and Spain.

Based on a qualitative analysis of strategy documents and expert interviews, the study shows that EU strategies function as important normative reference frameworks shaping national policy debates, while their interpretation and implementation remain context-dependent and sometimes contested across governance levels. Overall, the article highlights how the EU can also exercise “green normative power” internally through agenda-setting and framing rather than through binding regulation.

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Summer School Announcement:

Forest Governance, Policies & Politics Across the Globe

An international summer school on forest governance, policies, and politics will take place in Beijing, China, from July 13–24, 2026. This program brings together emerging scholars and professionals to explore pathways toward a global forest transition.
Forest landscapes worldwide are undergoing rapid transformations driven by human activity, with far-reaching impacts on biodiversity, climate regulation, and livelihoods. At the same time, global efforts—such as commitments to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030—highlight the urgent need for informed, collaborative approaches to forest governance.
The summer school announced here explores forest governance, policies and politics in three major countries and world regions: Brazil, China and Europe. Specifically, it focuses on policies affecting forests and people relating to them. Attention is given to policy making and outcomes, including the role of political ideologies and world views that underly these policies.
The summer school welcomes M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, postgraduates, and professionals actively engaged in forest policy, governance, and related fields. The application deadline is May 15, 2026.
More information through the link below.

More information

Project Update

EMMA4EU project – Training Course in Deforestation-Free Supply Chain Management & EUDR Compliance

In a cross collaboration with our partner Wageningen University & Research and based on a first edition of the Advanced training course in deforestation-free supply chain management, University of Freiburg is actively promoting a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to support students and professionals from all over the world in driving real change toward a more transparent, responsible, and sustainable global trade system.
Please register for the module on the EMMA4EU project website here:
https://www.emma4eu.eu/train/advanced-training-course/
(Link accessible through button below)

Register here

Research

Our research focuses and current projects

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Teaching

Our courses and information about theses

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Team

Overview of our team members

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Research on forest and environmental policy at the University of Freiburg – now also available as a podcast!

In the “Forest & Environmental Policy Podcast” by the Chair of Forest and Environmental Policy, doctoral students and post-docs share insights about their research and the projects they are working on. Listen to the episodes to find out about the diverse topics related to forest and environmental policy.

Subscribe to our podcast to never miss a new episode!

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Screenshot des Forest & Environmental Policy Podcasts