The paper introduces and outlines the outcome of the analysis and comparison of a sample of forest sector laws from 12 countries. The selection of both the key-topics for the analysis, and the sample of laws was done ...The paper introduces and outlines the outcome of the analysis and comparison of a sample of forest sector laws from 12 countries. The selection of both the key-topics for the analysis, and the sample of laws was done in response to concrete requests by the State Forestry Administration of the P.R. China. The analysis, prepared over a period of five months, produced country case-studies and a final report, and concluded with a workshop hosted by the Chinese Academy of Forestry in late November 2006. The findings consistently indicate that forest sector laws, of necessity, closely reflect a given country’s historical development, socio-political reality, and governance system. Consequently, there exists no blue-print for, or “model-approach” to forest sector legislation. In reviewing the effective Chinese forest sector laws, examples from third countries should be considered only with due caution, in respect of clear-cut & consistent Chinese forest policy objectives, and only after careful consideration of their applicability and transferability in the Chinese political as well as social context. The comparison of a sample of forest sector laws nevertheless enables the identification of several basic approaches to promoting sustainable forest management by public as well as non-public stakeholders, as well as a number of reform trends (particularly in regard to the restructuring of public sector administrations). On this basis, generalised conclusions are drawn and recommendations made for the forthcoming review of Chinese forest sector laws.展开更多
文摘The paper introduces and outlines the outcome of the analysis and comparison of a sample of forest sector laws from 12 countries. The selection of both the key-topics for the analysis, and the sample of laws was done in response to concrete requests by the State Forestry Administration of the P.R. China. The analysis, prepared over a period of five months, produced country case-studies and a final report, and concluded with a workshop hosted by the Chinese Academy of Forestry in late November 2006. The findings consistently indicate that forest sector laws, of necessity, closely reflect a given country’s historical development, socio-political reality, and governance system. Consequently, there exists no blue-print for, or “model-approach” to forest sector legislation. In reviewing the effective Chinese forest sector laws, examples from third countries should be considered only with due caution, in respect of clear-cut & consistent Chinese forest policy objectives, and only after careful consideration of their applicability and transferability in the Chinese political as well as social context. The comparison of a sample of forest sector laws nevertheless enables the identification of several basic approaches to promoting sustainable forest management by public as well as non-public stakeholders, as well as a number of reform trends (particularly in regard to the restructuring of public sector administrations). On this basis, generalised conclusions are drawn and recommendations made for the forthcoming review of Chinese forest sector laws.
