Evaluation of existing and new policy means for ensuring sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of forests

Sustainable development and sustainable forest management has been intensively discussed in international fora since 1992 when the United Nations Conference on Environment and De-velopment in Rio de Janeiro took place. According to these political processes, sustainable development is understood as a development meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to fulfil their needs with respect to ecological, economic and social aspects. Central European forestry is often presented as the pioneer of sustainability and as a model for all economic sectors in order to become sustainable. This research project asks for the under-standing of sustainable forest management and its implementation in the Austrian forest pol-icy. In the light of the research results the stated assumption does not hold true. With regard to the development and implementation of the classical forest management para-digm - known as "sustainable forest management" - the study reveals that forest policy, his-torically, did not primarily strive to make an unsustainable forest management sustainable. Rather the goal was the implementation of an industry-oriented production of timber instead of a farm-related and community-based use of the forest. Economic interests, e.g. the support of industry and trade, were more important than social problems, e.g. the supply of the popu-lation with fire wood, or ecological goals, e.g. the prevention of overexploitation. Forest pol-icy was hardly oriented at the benefit of local populations and would therefore not be regarded an example for sustainable development. Goals and practices of present forest management are also not uncontested. Not only tropical countries, also Austria is criticised by societal groups for focussing too much on timber pro-duction and neglecting ecological goals like biodiversity conservation or other social demands like recreation. While forestry interest groups are well involved in forest policy making, rep-resentatives of conservationists or tourist clubs are hardly considered. International agree-ments, signed by Austria, however, would call for a broad inclusion of the public in forest policy formulation and implementation. Recent developments in the Austrian forest policy promise a gradually growing consideration of multiple interests. The introduction of the term "habitat" for forests into the amendment of the Austrian Forest Act from 2002 might bring a new view on the forest. Further it is intended to establish a National Forest Programme; the process will be open to all interested groups. The results of this research project may be considered in the process. Summing up, it can be said that the understanding of sustainability by the Austrian forest political system by now does not correspond to the definitions laid down in international processes but it might move into that direction.