Monitoring the world's forests
FAO has been monitoring the world’s forests since 1946 through regular assessments conducted with its member countries. FAO now works with partners to use remote sensing and cloud-based super computers to help countries monitor and report on forests and develop climate change mitigation plans and data-driven land-use policies. The Global Forest Resources Assessment presents a comprehensive view of the world’s forests and the ways in which the extent of forest resources, their condition, management and use is changing.
FAO also compiles global statistics on the production and consumption of forest products, pulp and paper production capacities and recovered paper data surveys. The FAO Yearbook of Forest Products is a compilation of statistical data on basic forest products for all countries and territories of the world.
At a national level, FAO also supports countries to develop national forest monitoring systems, forest product statistics and socioeconomic surveys to improve national forest information.
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News
New FAO report strengthens the science behind peatland emissions reporting
31/07/2026
.tmb-th600x400.jpg?sfvrsn=2d73d93d_4 "FAO/Maryia Kukharava")
Latin America strengthens forest monitoring to improve climate action and conservation
10/07/2026
FAO and Norway launch partnership to strengthen global forest monitoring and data
29/12/2025
Publications
The National Forest Monitoring System as part of the National Strategy on Climate Change and Vegetation Resources in Chile
2021
This case study from Chile applies state-of-the-art monitoring approaches to forest conservation, restoration and managment. It offers a glimpse into Chile's efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and enhancement on forest carbon stocks (REDD+).
Institutionalisation of forest data
2021
Over the past ten years, REDD+ countries have made substantial advances in developing and operationalizing their National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS), to comply with measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) commitments for REDD+ under UNFCCC, as well as to provide better forest data to effectively support decision-making and domestic policies.
National forest monitoring system provides better data, and enhances capacity in Papua New Guinea
2021
This case study reviews the main objectives of the country's National Forest Monitoring System, highlights key stakeholders and defines successes and challenges of implementation. Ultimately, this case study serves as a reference for other countries implementing national forest monitoring systems and preparing for REDD+.