The present document was prepared for the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management (BMLFUW). It evaluates the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action and their implementation by Austria. The task was to identify the relevant IPF/IFF Proposals for Action with respect to their implementation in Austria, to assess the present degree and form of implementation by activities, and finally to identify any implementation gaps. The document is intended to assist Austria in further implementing the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action. The implementation of the Proposals is of crucial importance as no legally binding instrument for the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests exists. This analysis will facilitate subsequent consideration by Austria on its way to address existing gaps. The study found about 29% of all IPF/IFF Proposals for Action relevant for national action, about 34% relevant for international action and about 17% relevant for national and international action. Around 20% of the Proposals for Action are not relevant for an Austrian implementation. Development co-operation, forest policy and research policy are the main policy areas addressed by the Proposals for Action. The Austrian Federal Government has a primary implementation responsibility for about 69% of all Proposals for Action. The degree of implementation of the Proposals in Austria is quite good although they are not well known. On a national scale Austria has implemented the Proposal for Action to a good part. On an international scale the Proposals for Action are less well implemented. Some of the Proposals have been implemented only partly or their implementation is still in its very first phase. Austrian authorities regard an Austrian national forest programme as main tool of implementation for the remaining work to be done. The study has found that the Austrian development co-operation, the policy field most addressed, does not pay special attention to the support of forest policy in developing countries as no relevant strategy exists so far. Finally, the funding of forestry research both in Austria and on the international level within the European Union (through the research programmes) risks to be cut down or suspended.
