When Brussels watch from the sky: Negotiating sovereignty over data and forest in Europe

Abstract

This article examines how the proposed European Forest Monitoring Law (EFM) reconfigures sovereignty and governance in the European Union’s pursuit of climate and digital ovjectives. The EFM aims to harmonize forest data collection through satellite imagery, ground sensors, and big data, reflecting the EU's "twin transition" . Yet, it has provoked concerns over national competences and local management traditions. Drawing on critical data studies and political ecology, this research analyzes policy documents, public consultations materials, and interviews. Findings show that once-perceived "neutral" forest data can quickly transitions into a political domain, revealing divergent interests over who own and controls information. The study underscore the politicization of data and the evolving concept of sovereignty, which now encompasses governance of digital infrastructures and information flows. This work highlights the tensions between EU centralization and local autonomy, offering new insights into how digitalization shapes environmental governance and sovereignty in contemporary Europe.