From Intention to Impact: Forestry-related Sustainability Provisions in Trade Agreements

Abstract

Forestry-related sustainability provisions in trade agreements are important policy instruments for aligning international trade with sustainable forestry management. This dissertation conducts a sector-specific analysis by first mapping the academic landscape on sustainability provisions in trade agreements using bibliometric methods. It then develops a classification framework that disaggregates forestry-related sustainability provisions based on their depth and coverage. Employing content and textual analysis together with a results-based conceptual model, the study evaluates both the design of forestry provisions and the outputs, outcomes and impacts of associated cooperative activities. The findings reveal considerable variation in the scope and nature of forestry-related provisions across agreements. In addition, the study demonstrates that cooperative activities, when supported by strong institutions, adequate funding, capacity-building measures, and stakeholder participation, lead to measurable improvements in sustainable forest management. By integrating issue linkage theory and norm diffusion theory, this study explains how sustainability provisions can facilitate the internalization of sustainable development norms and influence trade practices. The results contribute to academic discussions and policy debates by providing a structured framework for assessing forestry-related sustainability provisions and offering recommendations to enhance their effectiveness in supporting sustainable forestry management.