Private forest ownership in Europe (Geneva timber and forest study papers, N° 26)

UNECE, together with FAO, through its integrated programme of work on timber and forestry, works to strengthen the forest sector and its contribution to sustainable development. This is also done through data collection and analysis, which contributes to better knowledge of the forest sector within the UNECE region. This study sheds light on private forestlands in Europe, which are of crucial importance in the region. Forest owners play a key role in sustaining forest ecosystems and enhancing rural development while also providing an economic and industrial resource of primary importance in the UNECE region. Nevertheless, a significant lack of knowledge on forest ownership in Europe remains. A joint enquiry by UNECE/FAO, the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE) and the Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF) contributed to closing this knowledge gap. This study presents the main findings from the national reports and draws conclusions on the state of private forest ownership in Europe, in terms of ownership distribution, structure of holdings, socioeconomic findings and overall trends, with regard to restitution/privatization, changes of ownership patterns and associations of private forest owners. The publication informs policy makers about the socioeconomic realities linked to private forest ownership, including the objectives and motivations of private forest owners. Important and changing trends, such as forest land fragmentation, ownership transfer from public to private, owner demographics and socioeconomic situation, and many other changes, are identified throughout the publication. Monitoring changes in this area is particularly important in view of the increasing need to reach out to private forest owners who control such a significant portion of Europe's forests. This has become increasingly important in view of the bioenergy policies which are reshaping the forest sector and require the mobilization of additional resources, in particular from the often under-utilized private forests. The identification by this report of best practices/examples contributes to informing Governments and policy makers of possible courses of action.