May 2016: The Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI), an initiative of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), has launched REDDcompass, a web application to help countries develop national forest monitoring systems and procedures to measure, report and verify associated greenhouse gas emissions.

REDDcompass guides users through the core themes, concepts and actions involved in the development of national forest monitoring systems for measurement, reporting and verification (MRV). It provides contextual links to GFOI methods and guidance, space data resources, references and tools, training materials and advances in research and development. Recommendations on designing and establishing MRV procedures are consistent with guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on requirements for reporting on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+).

REDDcompass aims to support countries through complex system design and development processes that will ultimately help them meet emissions reduction pledges and assist them in mitigating climate change. Supported by the Government of Australia and other GFOI partners, the web application has been developed by a global team of experts that specialize in forest information systems and in the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from forests.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) is a leading partner of the GFOI and hosts the GFOI Office in Rome, Italy. GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations, aiming to exploit the growing potential of Earth observations to support decision making. [REDDcompass] [GFOI Website]