The law and politics of transnational forest governance

The book analyses the law and politics of forest regulation from a transnational perspective, with particular emphasis on the North–South divide. It does so in three steps. Departing from a transnational approach that integrates perspectives from the Global South (Part 1: Bridging the North-South Divide), it analyses the transnational dimensions of global forest regulation (ch. 1) and then sets out to explore its colonial foundations and patterns of green imperialism (ch. 2). It argues that the recognition and integration of diverse value systems form the crucial foundation of any successful transnational forest regulation (ch. 3). In a second step, the book explores the multi-faceted relationship between forest resources and the global economy (Part 2: Transnational Forest Regulation & the Global Economy). It elaborates on the political economy of transnational forest regulation (ch. 4) and pays special attention to financing mechanisms and global corporate actors (ch. 5). One of the main arguments is that institutionalised mechanisms of participation and conflict play a vital role in mitigating the severe tension between conservation and exploitation (ch. 6). While the first two parts take a more theoretical approach, the third part takes a closer look at the current practise of forest regulation (Part 3: Specific Governance Approaches). A thorough analysis of programmes as REDD+ proves indispensable for a deeper understanding of the link between transnational climate change and forest regulation (ch. 7). In face of the omnipresence of devastating large-scale forest fires, the area of disaster and risk management is the object of in-depth analysis (ch. 8) as are measures of conservation and restoration (ch. 9) in the concluding chapter of the book.