REDDcompass helps users progressively work through the key themes, concepts and actions of REDD+ National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) for Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) gaining access to a suite of GFOI methods and guidance, space data resources, training materials and tools along the way.

GFOI, together with its partners the European Space Agency (ESA) invites you to attend a side event on 20 May 2016 at the UNFCCC’s Climate Change Conference in Bonn (SB44).This side event will showcase GFOI activities in providing strategic assistance to emerging countries in the development of national forest monitoring systems and associated emissions MRV for REDD+. The event will be held from 18:30 to 20:00 in the Berlin Room (112) of the main UNFCCC venue. We hope to see you there!

The Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) will host a Collaboration Forum in Washington DC on Tuesday 28 June 2016. The Forum will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to interact with GFOI partners and explore opportunities for new collaborations with GFOI. Participation is limited. To register your interest, please contact office@gfoi.org.

GFOI partners hosted a ‘Training the Trainers’ workshop in Bangkok from 18 to 22 April 2016. The workshop assembled a group of regional leaders and provided targeted training in the use of the GFOI’s overarching REDDcompass, the training modules from the GOFC-GOLD source book, the World Bank’s Decision Support Tool (DST) and various other linked products. Photos and updates from the event can be found here: twitter.com/gfoi_forest and facebook.com/gfoi1

In support of GFOI, the CEOS Systems Engineering Office has produced Landsat historical coverage analyses (from 1990) over 70 GFOI countries.

The 2016 GFOI Plenary and Open Forum sessions were broadcast live around the world via online video streaming. Archived recordings of the sessions are now available.

The Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) is an initiative of the inter-governmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) that aims to foster the sustained availability of observations for national forest monitoring systems; support governments that are establishing national systems by providing a platform for coordinating observations, providing assistance and guidance on utilising observations, developing accepted methods and protocols, and promoting ongoing research and development; and work with national governments that report into international forest assessments (such as the global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO) and the national greenhouse gas inventories reported to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) using methods of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

By absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon, forests play an important role in the global carbon cycle and in the moderation of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Reducing deforestation and forest degradation will help address global climate change.

Robust national forest monitoring based on objective observations is widely accepted as a pre-requisite for countries to participate in international forest carbon agreements. Improved monitoring will also enhance the existing reporting frameworks of the UNFCCC and the periodic Global Forest Resource Assessments of the FAO. To operate efficiently and sustainably, national forest monitoring systems require a continuous, timely and affordable supply of observations. GEO seeks to facilitate this supply and use of forest observations through its Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI).