Joint knowledge production for improved climate services: Insights from the Swedish forestry sector

Science-stakeholder collaboration is becoming an increasingly common way to address mismatches between the knowledge needs of stakeholders and the research being done by scientists. This kind of mismatch is clearly evident in the field of climate change adaptation, arguing for the design and application of user- and decision-driven, coproduced climate services. Science-based participatory processes have shown clear benefits in establishing arenas for joint knowledge production on climate change and adaptation. However, multiple challenges remain. This paper presents and discusses findings from an assessment of a participatory climate services process conducted as part of a research program on climate change adaptation in the Swedish forestry sector. We identify enablers and barriers to successful science-stakeholder collaboration and put forward recommendations for more stakeholder-driven, participatory coproduction processes. Our analysis offers insights that could help achieve more informed decision-making and policy development and ultimately climate action under the Paris Agreement.