Theoretical and historical aspects of forest policy development

The Latvia's National Forest policy is internationally recognized. In the same time influence of related policies to forests is growing and vision of forest sector development needs to be improved with taking into account the set of global and European Union goals. The article analyses whether Latvia’s forest-related policy planning documents cover the horizontal objectives of European Union's new initiatives and assesses whether the forest sector's potential is included within achievement of related policy goals, and whether Latvia's forest policy development trends are in line with forest experts' future vision. Qualitative study of EU policies and policy instruments and action plans has been carried out in order to identify forest-related goals, as well as Latvia’s policy planning documents have been analysed to identify appropriate initiatives and measures related to the implementation of climate-smart forestry and results of activities implementation since 2015 are demonstrated. Study demonstrates that in spite the EU Green Deal serves as a framework for the coordination of policy initiatives, the potential input of forests in related policies has been fragmented and, in some cases, has contradictory nature. These aspects raise concerns about incompletely realised contribution of forestry and the forest sector potential. The Analysis shows that the new initiatives are largely included in Latvia's national policy planning documents; however, some nuances of these EU documents still require more careful evaluation and implementation. In order to promote full contribution of a forest sector to the implementation of the EU Green Deal and achievement of related policies goals, it is necessary to identify the full potential of Latvia's forestry and forest sector. In order to fulfil forest sector potential contribution to the EU Green Deal concept, it is necessary to facilitate greater use of climate-smart forestry concept in Latvia's forestry and policy and improve existing and elaborate new policy instruments.