As the world grapples with the urgency of climate change, forests prove to be essential in mitigation and adaption strategies. However, a lack of high-quality and consistent data in forest-related information compromises the efficacy of forest monitoring and management, as well as the subsequent policy making for climate action.

As a solution to this notable challenge, the pioneering initiative “Building global capacity to increase transparency in the forest sector (CBIT-Forest): accelerating capacity-building, knowledge-sharing and awareness raising” is entering its second phase of work to revolutionize forest data transparency and ensure informed decision-making.

Forging new frontiers in data transparency

The CBIT-Forest project, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), aims to address outstanding barriers and accelerate progress towards a world where forest data is transparent, accessible and continually monitored at the global, regional and national levels.

The first phase of the project, supported by the GEF’s Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) fund, was designed to underscore the significance of clear forest data for effective forest monitoring and reporting on the state and changes in forest cover. For information on the past success and lessons learned from the initial phase of the project, please read this document.

Phase two of the project will directly benefit at least 20 countries while more broadly supporting 236 countries and territories that are a part of the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) National Correspondent network. Through cutting-edge technology, the project will enhance FAO’s FRA data platform and (flexible) reporting , increase technical capacities for national forest monitoring systems, and boost the development and dissemination of knowledge products related to forest data transparency over the span of three years.

Inspiring action through knowledge-sharing

Join the webinar “Enhancing Forest Data Transparency for Climate Action” on 30 April 2024 at 15.00–16.30 CEST (UTC+2) to gain invaluable insights from international experts on the significance of forest data transparency and the challenges that hinder its progress.

This event is a key opportunity to learn about the strategies that countries are using to boost capacity-building and knowledge-sharing, the collaborations and partnerships that are advancing transparency initiatives, and the CBIT-Forest project and its expected outcomes.

Please click here to find further details on the webinar. Be sure to register here to secure your spot for a deeper understanding of this fascinating and innovative initiative. 

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