Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and degradation
in developing countries

A sourcebook of methods and procedures for monitoring measuring and reporting

The UNFCCC negotiations and related country submissions on REDD in 2005-2007 have advocated that methodologies and tools become available for estimating emissions from deforestation with an acceptable level of certainty. Based on the current status of negotiations and UNFCCC approved methodologies, this sourcebook aims to provide additional explanation, clarification, and methodologies to support REDD early actions and readiness mechanisms for building national REDD monitoring systems.

The book emphasizes the role of satellite remote sensing as an important tool for monitoring changes in forest cover, and provides clarification on the IPCC Guidelines for reporting changes in forest carbon stocks at the national level. It is the outcome of an ad-hoc REDD working group of GOFC-GOLD that has been active since the initiation of the UNFCCC REDD process in 2005. It provides a consensus perspective from the global community of earth observation and carbon experts on methodological issues relating to quantifying carbon impacts of implementation activities to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation in developing countries (REDD).

In partnership with the Government of Norway, the PRP commissioned GOFC-GOLD to carry out a study to understand what information, expertise, equipment and infrastructure is required to effectively monitor the world s tropical forests. The study examines the current monitoring and reporting capabilities and the availability of remote sensing data in 99 non-Annex 1 countries and makes specific recommendations for rolling out capacity building activities. Get a copy of the report here.

In memoriam: Dr. Sandra Brown (1944-2017)

Sourcebook Download Version UNFCCC COP 22 (December 2016)

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Contributors

A number of international experts in remote sensing and carbon measurement and accounting have contributed to the development of this sourcebook and are thankfully acknowledged for their support (in alphabetical order):

Core Editorial team

Authors

Acknowledgement

ESA, TNC, NRCAN/CFS, NASA, START, and CSA are acknowledged for their support of the GOFC-GOLD REDD working group and financial contributions to prepare this sourcebook.