Pregernig, M. 1999. Austria. In: Glück, P., Oesten, G., Schanz, H., Volz, K-R. (Hrsg.). Formulation and Implementation of National Forest Programmes. EFI Proceedings no. 30. Vol II: 13-44. (In English)

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Abstract: Austria's political culture is characterised by the institutionalisation of consensus and co-operation. With a high share of forests in private hands, forest policy is determined by the goals and interests of private forest owners. Through the corporatist structure of the Austrian social partnership forest interest groups are granted institutionalised influence on policy formulation and implementation. At present, Austrian forest policy is far from pursuing a broad inter-sectoral, iterative and holistic approach in order to achieve the target of sustainable forest management. Within the current political setting, the chances of having a National Forest Programme formulated and implemented seem to be rather modest: Powerful stakeholders with strong political and societal backing will not be prepared to share their sphere of influence with other players representing opposing interests. With changes in the political framework, such as pressure from outside or new financial incentives, a NFPs chances of success could increase.

Keywords: Austria, Forest policy, Policy instruments, Political culture, Policy network.

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