Overview

Learn more about the Global Forest Observations Initiative here.

The GFOI R&D Coordination Component plays a crucial role in addressing methodological and technical challenges that impede countries' forest monitoring capacities and greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting efforts. It fosters a dedicated community of experts for this purpose. Once solutions are identified and deemed operationally ready (based on the CALM criteria), they can be proposed for inclusion in the GFOI's Methods and Guidance Documentation (MGD). These solutions can then be utilized in capacity-building activities to support countries' monitoring efforts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of dedicated support, the GFOI R&D coordination has been limited to a few virtual meetings. However, with renewed support from ESA, the GFOI R&D coordination component has resumed its activities in 2023.

Specific objectives of the R&D Coordination Component for the current period (2023-2026) are to:

Interact with the scientific earth observation and forestry communities for GFOI, identifying gaps and needs to advance operational forest monitoring.
Follow and participate in international processes related to REDD+ at UNFCCC and IPCC.
Establish links and maintain cooperation with related international activities.
Foster collaborations within the AFOLU sector.
Identify knowledge gaps in forest monitoring through engagement with countries and experts.
Advocate for novel data and approaches, considering their potential and limitations.
Organise expert workshops, in coordination with other GFOI components.
Develop and collect training material for capacity building in the forest and landscape sector.
Increase communication and collaboration between the climate change policy and forest science communities.
Promote cooperation in the forest sector with dedicated public relations activities and communication channels.

The GFOI R&D Coordination is based at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences and supported by the European Space Agency (ESA).