Swiss Forest Policy 2020.

The Forest Policy 2020 is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The main objective of the Forest Policy is to ensure sustainable forest management and an efficient and innovative forestry and timber sector.
Forest management will be developed in line with the protection of forest area, soil, water, habitats, biodiversity, ecosystems and the vitality of the trees. Afforestation will be increased to protect agricultural priority areas and for the rehabilitation of watercourses. Protected forest areas will be designated in spatial planning terms to protect the species living in the forest and the forest as a near-natural ecosystem. Forest diversity will be conserved through upgrading of priority habitats. The balance between the forest and wildlife will be strengthened. Game stocks will be adapted to their habitats and have a natural age and gender distribution. Protection measures will be taken for the use of the forest for leisure and recreation.
The coordination of the ecological, economic and social demands on the forest will be optimized to ensure sustainable forest management and create favourable conditions for an efficient and innovative forestry and wood industry. The services provided by the forest for the protection of human life and infrastructure will be guaranteed in a sustainable manner. The economic viability of the forestry sector and the sustainably harvestable wood harvest potential will be increased to contribute to the green economy. A finance system will be developed to compensate the forest services. Databases will be established in the fields of wood harvesting, wood processing, wood trading and wood end use, potential demand, and value creation potential. New processing and marketing options will be developed for hardwood support through feasibility studies, innovation projects, research & development, and market studies. Regular forest monitoring and the monitoring of the forestry sector will be ensured as a component of environmental monitoring. The demand for wood will be increased inter alia through the dissemination of information and awareness-raising among the population and institutional end users of the advantages of timber structures, wood components and the use of wood energy. Energy-efficient timber structures will be promoted.
Climate change mitigation and adaptation will be guaranteed to minimize the risks posed by natural hazards. The contribution of forest management and wood use will be ensured to attain the maximum possible reduction in CO2 emissions as well as the mitigation of climate change. The resilience of the forest and ecosystem to climate change will be increased to provide the services required by society under altered climate conditions. Forestry protection measures will be taken for prevention, removal and reforestation. An early warning system will be developed for forest fires. In addition, forest will be protected against the introduction of particularly hazardous organisms.