GSE Forest Monitoring for the UNFCCC REDD Process
Haeusler, T.1; Gomez, S.1; Siwe, R.1; Ramminger, G.1; Amougou, J.2
1GAF-AG, GERMANY; 2MINEP, CAMEROON

The Global Monitoring for Environmental and Security (GMES) Service Element on Forest Monitoring (GSE FM) has been operational since 2003, and provides operational forest services which support international Conventions such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). GSE FM has been involved in the post-Kyoto Protocol process of reduction of emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) in developing countries since 2006; REDD pilot projects were initiated in 2007 in Bolivia and Cameroon with strong stakeholder support. The pilot project in Cameroon aimed at using Earth Observation (EO) technologies combined with in situ data to establish baseline projections of emissions caused by deforestation in a wall-to-wall approach. The project has progressed with the formalising of a National REDD Steering Committee, the production of forest masks and assessment of deforestation rates, as well as procedures and results of biomass accounting. Innovative technology transfer using south-south co-operation between Cameroon and Bolivia have provided valuable contributions to the REDD implementation in Cameroon.

Based on the Cameroon experiences, the GSE FM has initiated in 2009 with counterpart support, REDD Pilot Projects in Gabon and the Republic of Congo. The main Tasks will include:

  • Stakeholder Analysis: A country specific User Requirements to identify the needs of stakeholders in terms of specific policy drivers, working practices and decision making cycles as well as the technical specifications for reporting.
  • Implementation framework for REDD: support to develop institutional frameworks for REDD at a national level.
  • Reference scenarios/Estimating deforestation: remote sensing analysis which will provide forest area maps and forest cover change maps applicable for a national REDD scenario. The application of spatial information on deforestation over a historical period provides the country with reference scenarios.
  • Technology Transfer/Capacity Building to the country: programmes to ensure that project results, methodologies and lessons learned are provided in a manner to best support the work of national and regional counterparts

    It is anticipated that these activities will provide the countries with information which will facilitate the national policy formulations as well as their negotiations at the COP meetings on the feasibility of implementing national REDD processes.