A systemic evaluation framework for a multi-actor, forest-based bioeconomy governance process: The German Charter for Wood 2.0 as a case study

Sustainable forestry and wood utilisation can play an important role in strengthening a renewable resource-based bioeconomy. Governing associated structural change processes is a complex task; it involves handling multiple demands on forests in a changing climate and the creation and perpetuation of innovation-friendly framework conditions in a variety of sectors and industries. In Germany, the Charter for Wood 2.0 (“Charta für Holz 2.0”) has been established as a multi-actor governance process to increase contributions of sustainable forestry and wood use to climate change mitigation, value creation and resource efficiency. This article develops the methodological framework for the evaluation accompanying the Charter. Designing evaluations of multi-actor governance processes in the context of long-term sustainability transitions brings about specific challenges. The existence of multiple interacting aims, the variety of responsible policy levels and actor groups, and the evolving nature of the Charter's instrument mix imply that establishing causal relationships between specific measures and outcomes can be associated with considerable uncertainty. To address this, we adopt a learning-oriented, systemic approach rooted in innovation system analysis, which provides a framework for examining complex cause-effect relationships. Moreover, a participatory approach can promote the relevance of findings for decision-making processes, although certain challenges (relating e.g. to maintaining active participation over time and balancing different perspectives) need to be taken into account. Based on insights from evaluation research, we propose an evaluation concept for the Charter and discuss first lessons from its application. The concept encompasses (i) an outcome-oriented evaluation, which uses indicators to monitor developments in the Charter's fields of action and examines causes of developments in in-depth analyses; (ii) a process-oriented evaluation, which reflects on outputs of the Charter process and examines potential options for further developing the process. Additionally, short supplementary analyses may examine changes in external framework conditions. •Charter for Wood 2.0 is a multi-actor governance process for the forest bioeconomy.•The article develops the methodological framework of the accompanying evaluation.•To address complex cause-effect relations, we adopt a systemic evaluation approach.•The evaluation is participatory and learning-orient