The role of norms in EU forest conservation politics – current trends and avenues for research

Norms in International Relations (IR) are commonly understood as socially accepted standards of behaviour and soft institutions that shape actors’ identities and actions. In the European Union (EU), forest conservation is increasingly influenced by such norms, particularly through recent initiatives under the European Green Deal. Despite their political relevance, however, the role of norms remains underexplored in forest-related research. In this systematic literature review, I examine how norms are defined, diffused, and contested in EU forest conservation politics. Applying the PRISMA framework, I analyse 51 studies published between 1990 and 2024 and show that norms should be seen as dynamic socially constructed but also structuring concepts. Furthermore, I highlight the need for clearer conceptualisation and greater theoretical exchange between IR norms research and environmental governance scholarship. The identification of diverse actors and multi-level norm dynamics offers new directions for research on environmental governance and normative change.