Enhancing global forest data transparency for climate action

 

On 30 April 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (the GEF) hosted a webinar aiming to launch the second phase of the “Building global capacity to increase transparency in the forest sector (CBIT-Forest)” project. The event represented all regions, with 912 participants registered from 140 countries. Supported by the GEF, CBIT-Forest aims to enhance the capacity-building, knowledge-sharing and awareness-raising necessary to foster transparency in forest data worldwide.

The Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement mandates biennial transparency reports (BTR) from all parties to enhance global climate action monitoring. This framework is crucial for ensuring transparent reporting on national commitments to climate change mitigation. The CBIT-Forest project will directly support the ETF by improving the quality, availability and accessibility of forest data, as well as helping countries develop robust monitoring and reporting practices that are vital for assessing progress and supporting effective climate policies under the ETF. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) is set for November 2024, and BTR submissions are due before 31 December 2024.  This is a key milestone as nations report progress against their nationally determined contributions. In this context, the importance of transparent and accessible forest data has never been more important.

Webinar highlights and key objectives

Speakers and participants from around the globe convened to discuss the important role of transparent, accessible and robust forest data in tackling climate change and promoting sustainable land use.

Zhimin Wu, Director of the Forestry Division at FAO, opened the session with a compelling overview of the need for transparent forest data. "When governments, NGOs and stakeholders have accurate and transparent information, they can monitor deforestation rates and track progress towards conservation and restoration targets," he emphasized, highlighting the impact of data transparency on global efforts to monitor deforestation and manage forests sustainably. The discussions underscored that enhanced data transparency is crucial for empowering policymakers, supporting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and strengthening governance structures through informed decision-making.

Collaborative Efforts and Global Impact

One of the webinar's highlights was the emphasis on collaborative efforts across sectors and borders. The CBIT-Forest project leverages a global network to facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions. “Such exchanges will enhance reporting of the latest data to the climate process and will result in more consistent reporting, reduce the reporting burden for parties, and also increase transparency,” noted Xuehong Wang, Manager of Reporting and Review in the Transparency Division at the UNFCCC Secretariat.

The project also focuses on the development of e-learning modules and online courses, aiming to build a well-informed community equipped to tackle the challenges of forest conservation. These educational initiatives are designed to reach a broad audience, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in participation.

Forward-looking strategies

Looking forward, the CBIT-Forest project will continue to build on its initial successes by advancing phase two of the initiative. “For us, as a community, getting the sector right we think is an important contribution to enhancing the transparency of climate action on the global scale,” explained Chizuru Aoki, Lead Environmental Specialist for the GEF Programming Unit, during the session.

Panel discussion: Challenges and opportunities in forest data management

The discussion not only explored the technical aspects of forest data management but also emphasized the importance of international cooperation and capacity building in achieving the goals of the project:

• José Armando Alanís de la Rosa from the Comisión Nacional Forestal [National Forestry Commission] (CONAFOR) of Mexico shared how transparent data systems in Mexico have empowered policymakers with accurate information on forest cover and land-use changes, which are essential for effective management and conservation strategies.
• Peter Nduati of the Kenya Forest Service discussed the integration of forest data into national strategies for conservation, highlighting the successes and ongoing challenges faced by Kenya in implementing a comprehensive National Forest Monitoring System.
• Julian Fox from the FAO Forestry Division emphasized the global implications of the CBIT-Forest project, noting the pivotal role of open-source technical solutions and e-learning in democratizing forest data and knowledge across countries and stakeholders.
• Pascal Martinez, a Senior Climate Change Specialist at GEF, highlighted the critical financial and technical support provided by GEF in fostering capacity-building initiatives that enhance forest data transparency across different countries.

Introducing the second phase of CBIT-Forest

Rocío Cóndor, Forestry Officer at the FAO Forestry Division, provided an in-depth introduction to the CBIT-Forest project. She detailed how this initiative aims to bolster the capacity of countries in effectively and transparently monitoring and reporting forest data, “the success of the CBIT-Forest project is especially marked by its engagement, which strongly encouraged participation from women, Indigenous Peoples and local communities”. Cóndor explained the project's objectives to extend the quality, availability and accessibility of crucial forest data, which will enable the ETF and the management of forest resources.

 

Closing remarks

Julian Fox wrapped up the session reinforcing the day's discussions and the project's objectives, “transparency builds trust and accountability and encourages countries to increase their climate ambition over time”. His closing called for continued international cooperation and commitment, highlighting the essential role of transparent forest data in achieving sustainable global forest management and combating climate change.

By fostering transparency and collaboration, CBIT-Forest not only aims to enhance forest management and conservation efforts but also supports global strategies to mitigate climate change impacts effectively. As the project moves forward, it holds the promise of transforming the landscape of global forest data for a sustainable future.

 

Watch the full webinar here: