How important is it for policy makers, governments, business and wider society to understand the benefits forests can provide us?
It is important that all parts or society understand the needs and benefits if we want to make sure that forests can meet the changing societal demands for forest products such as wood production, recreational services, biodiversity protection and carbon storage.

What is and should be the role of academia in helping policy makers and business managers to make the right decisions concerning forests?
Academia can deliver objective, unbiased analyses and results at arm’s length which e.g. policymakers can use for understanding the welfare economic consequences of new or existing policies and use the information in their decision making. This bring in rigor and a degree of transparency in the decision-making process.

What can be the role of SINCERE project on forest ecosystem services improvement?
We strongly believe that SINCERE will provide and demonstrate the feasibility of a number of good, innovative ideas, or mechanisms, for forest owners, policymakers and society to increase the benefits from forest ecosystem services.

Can you describe what is your organization’s role in SINCERE and why did you get involved in the project?
Based on collaboration with stakeholders, University of Copenhagen’s main role is to analyze and select the good ideas which seems feasible from both an economic and ecological viewpoint.  The development of the project proposal and the participation in SINCERE provide a unique opportunity of us to collaborate with both academic and practice partners all over Europe.