As stated in earlier chapters, the possible impacts of climate change on forests and the forest sector are considerable, and many impacts have already been observed. As forest conditions change, there is an inherent need to change management and policy measures to minimise negative impacts and to exploit the benefits derived from climate change. This chapter highlights trends in existing policies and management measures that promote the adaptation of forests to climate change, and barriers to implementation. An investigation into existing policies indicates that key often serve multiple purposes and are not introduced solely in response to climate change; that local forest-related knowledge is an important and under-utilised resource which should be better recognized; that countries have yet to overcome all the barriers to implementing adaptation policies; and that existing policies tend to be reactive rather than proactive and reflect national socio-economic and environmental circumstances.
