Measures related to Systemic Shift 5: Enhancing availability and use of data for better-informed decision-making
Strengthening data use capacities
The ability to produce and interpret data is a prerequisite for ensuring that data can inform effective decision-making. Building related capacities at national, subnational and local scales can make a major contribution to strengthening land governance and policy decision-making. Governments, the private sector, civil society and international organizations can make a real difference in this respect through capacity development initiatives that target those who have a key role in collecting, analysing and using data, such as local and national decision makers, communities and farmers.
| Guidance | · FAO guidance: Voluntary Guidelines on National Forest Monitoring |
| Reports | · FAO report: Better data, better decisions: Towards impactful forest monitoring · FAO report: Ten years of capacity development on national forest monitoring for REDD+: Much achieved yet more to do |
| Platforms/tools | · Open Foris Ground · Open Foris Collect Mobile |
| Initiatives / projects | · FAO technical support: Forest monitoring · FAO initiative: Aim4Forests · FAO initiative: Aim4Commodities · UN-REDD work area: National Forest Monitoring · Group on Earth Observations initiative: Global Forest Observations Initiative |
| E-learning | · FAO e-learning courses on forest monitoring |
| Case studies/examples | · Case study: Enhancing compliance with deforestation-free regulations and enabling local participation with Ground: Insights from user experiences in Ivory Coast |
| Academic publications | · Kim, R., Kim, D., Cho, S., Choi, E., Park, J., Lee, S., & Son, Y. 2021. Assessment of REDD+ MRV Capacity in Developing Countries and Implications under the Paris Regime. LAND, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090943 · Malhado, A., Costa, M., Correia, R., Malhado, A., de la Fuente, M., da Costa, A., Batinga, J., Bragagnolo, C., & Ladle, R. 2017. Are capacity deficits in local government leaving the Amazon vulnerable to environmental change? LAND USE POLICY, 69, 326–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.07.035 · Neeff, T., & Piazza, M. 2019. Developing forest monitoring capacity – Progress achieved and gaps remaining after ten years. Forest Policy and Economics, 101, 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2018.10.013 · Romijn, E., Lantican, C., Herold, M., Lindquist, E., Ochieng, R., Wijaya, A., Murdiyarso, D., & Verchot, L. 2015. Assessing change in national forest monitoring capacities of 99 tropical countries. FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, 352, 109–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.06.003 |
Enhancing the availability and accessibility of data
To inform effective decision-making, information systems must be available and accessible to its users. This includes technical availability: Relevant land data is being produced, for instance through national forest inventories or remote sensing technology, and it can be downloaded or directly accessed. It also includes conceptual accessibility: It is not too complex for users without technical backgrounds to fully understand. Governments can play an important role in enhancing both aspects, for instance, by strengthening open data management and sharing, including through national forest monitoring systems, by investing in digital public goods and digital infrastructure, and by making data more user friendly.
Enhancing the transparency, reliability and credibility of data
Transparent, reliable, and credible data is frequently a precondition for informing effective decision-making. In addition to it being technically sound and consistent, the credibility of data is typically a matter of perception and strongly depends on transparency. In this context, governments can put in place rules and guidelines for enhancing data transparency while strengthening collaboration with important data providers, such as forest-dependent communities, notably Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector, who often have access to primary data related to agriculture-linked deforestation.
| Guidance | · FAO guidance: Voluntary Guidelines on National Forest Monitoring · Global Forest Observation Initiative: Methods and Guidance Documentation · IPCC guidance: Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and 2019 Refinement · |
| Reports | · Global Forest Observations Initiative report: Lessons learned for REDD+ from evaluations of GHG statements · FAO report: Better data, better decisions: Towards impactful forest monitoring |
| Platforms | · FAOSTAT · FAO tool: Legislative and policy database FAOLEX · Fapda - Food And Agriculture Policy Decision Analysis Tool · Open Foris |
| Initiative/ projects | · Data partnership: Forest Data Partnership |
| Academic publications | · Rosa, I., Ahmed, S., & Ewers, R. 2014. The transparency, reliability and utility of tropical rainforest land-use and land-cover change models. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, 20(6), 1707–1722. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12523 |
| Case studies / examples | Case study: Convergence of land use data - the Forest Data Partnership The data and information landscape on agricultural commodities and related deforestation is highly fragmented, characterized by a wide array of unverified, disconnected, and incompatible datasets. Interpretation of these datasets is also marked by inconsistency and divergent conclusions about the realities on the ground. This lack of consensus leads to ambiguity and hinders efforts to effectively address the pressing issues of agriculture-linked deforestation. To address this, FAO, USAID, the US State Department, and WRI, together with Google, NASA SERVIR, and Unilever, have come together to initiate the Forest Data Partnership, an initiative to strengthen global monitoring of commodity-driven forest loss. By promoting a convergence of evidence approach, the Partnership brings together international and civil society organizations, governments and private sector partners to develop trusted, transparent geospatial data solutions that enable credible monitoring, verification, and disclosure of progress in reducing deforestation and restoring degraded lands. A first pilot of the convergence of evidence approach was implemented for Indonesia and Malaysia, using a machine learning community model to map oil palm cultivation. Primary inputs were Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 imagery and the model was trained with high quality labelling of land use for the years 2018, 2020, and 2022. The resulting palm oil probability map allows to compare local and national mapping products to understand where discrepancies between products are more likely and provides a measure of the overall confidence and accuracy of mapping products for this commodity. Such mapping of agricultural commodities can provide crucial information to assess forest status and inform due diligence under emerging regulatory requirements. This initiative represents a significant step towards achieving credible monitoring, verification, and disclosure of progress in mitigating deforestation and restoring degraded lands. |
| E-learning module | · E-learning course: Introduction to Forest Mapping and Monitoring Tools for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities |
| Case studies/ examples | · FAO feature story: Innovating tradition to protect ancient forests in Papua New Guinea · FAO article: Indigenous peoples paving the way for inclusive forest monitoring |
| Academic publications | · Bong, I., Felker, M., & Maryudi, A. 2016. How Are Local People Driving and Affected by Forest Cover Change? Opportunities for Local Participation in REDD plus Measurement, Reporting and Verification. PLOS ONE, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0145330 · Butt, N., Epps, K., Overman, H., Iwamura, T., & Fragoso, J. 2015. Assessing carbon stocks using indigenous peoples’ field measurements in Amazonian Guyana. FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, 338, 191–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.11.014 · Damnyag, L., Bampoh, A., & Mohammed, Y. 2023. Community-based forest monitoring for REDD plus MRV in the Ansaka Conservation Area, Ghana. INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY REVIEW, 25(3), 300–309. https://doi.org/10.1505/146554823837586230 · Mateo-Vega, J., Potvin, C., Monteza, J., Bacorizo, J., Barrigón, J., Barrigón, R., López, N., Omi, L., Opua, M., Serrano, J., Cushman, K., & Meyer, C. 2017. Full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in forest monitoring for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD plus): Trial in Panama’s Darien. ECOSPHERE, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1635 · Pratihast, A., DeVries, B., Avitabile, V., de Bruin, S., Kooistra, L., Tekle, M., & Herold, M. 2014. Combining Satellite Data and Community-Based Observations for Forest Monitoring. FORESTS, 5(10), 2464–2489. https://doi.org/10.3390/f5102464 · Schmitt, C., & Mukungu, J. 2019. How to Achieve Effective Participation of Communities in the Monitoring of REDD plus Projects: A Case Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). FORESTS, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/f10090794 |
Enhancing the relevance of data
Information systems must be relevant to inform effective decision-making for reducing agriculture-linked deforestation. To be relevant, data should have sufficient thematic and spatial detail, be produced at frequent time intervals, enable assessments of change and speak to thematic policy priorities. Governments can enhance the relevance of data by readjusting their data systems to remain relevant and flexible and to adapt monitoring to policy priorities. Innovation in remote sensing, cloud infrastructure and machine learning can additionally enhance the relevance of data, with the private sector driving adoption of new technologies.
| Reports | · FAO report: Better data, better decisions: Towards impactful forest monitoring |
| Academic publications | · Neeff, T., & Piazza, M. 2020. How countries link forest monitoring into policy-making. Forest Policy and Economics, 118, 102248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2020.102248 · Neeff, T., Steel, E. A., Kleinn, C., Hung, N. D., Bien, N. N., Cerutti, P. O., & Moutinho, P. 2020. How forest data catalysed change in four successful case studies. Journal of Environmental Management, 271, 110736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110736 |
| Reports | · FAO report: Better data, better decisions: Towards impactful forest monitoring · FAO report: Strengthening evidence-based forest policy-making: Linking forest monitoring with national forest programmes |
| Initiatives / projects | · Data partnership: Forest Data Partnership · FAO initiative: Aim4Forests |
| Case studies/ examples | · FAO Forest Resources Assessment 2025: Terms and Definitions · Case study from Brazil: PRODES project |
Enhancing the sustainability of data
Data systems, such as forest monitoring systems, are more likely to be impactful and operated sustainably when they are affordable and respond to policy needs. Their continuation is important to monitor land changes over time and can be facilitated where governments take full ownership and integrate land monitoring into institutional and procedural arrangements. Strengthening long-term commitment and data ownership are therefore two key measures governments can take to enhance the sustainability of data and to increase the data’s contribution to informing effective decision-making. In addition, data sustainability can be enhanced by engaging local communities in data collection, analysis and use.
| Reports | · FAO working paper: Strengthening evidence-based forest policy-making (fao.org) · FAO guidelines: Voluntary Guidelines on National Forest Monitoring · FAO working paper: Strengthening National Forest Monitoring Systems for REDD+ · FAO working paper: Strengthening Effective Forest Governance Monitoring Practice · FAO report: Institutionalisation of forest data: Establishing legal frameworks for sustainable forest monitoring in REDD+ countries |
| Case studies/ examples | · CIFOR-ICRAF report: Institutionalization of REDD+ MRV in Indonesia, Peru, and Tanzania: progress and implications |
| Academic publications | · Ochieng, R.M., Visseren-Hamakers, I.J., Brockhaus, M., Kowler, L.F., Herold, M. & Arts, B. 2016. Historical development of institutional arrangements for forest monitoring and REDD+ MRV in Peru: Discursive-institutionalist perspectives. Integrating Ecosystem Service Concepts into Valuation and Management Decisions, 71: 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2016.07.007 · Ochieng, R.M., Arts, B., Brockhaus, M. & Visseren-Hamakers, I.J. 2018. Institutionalization of REDD+ MRV in Indonesia, Peru, and Tanzania. Ecology and Society, 23(2). https://www.jstor.org/stable/26799085 |
| E-learning module | · E-learning course: Introduction to Forest Mapping and Monitoring Tools for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities |
| Case studies/ examples | · FAO feature story: Innovating tradition to protect ancient forests in Papua New Guinea · FAO article: Indigenous peoples paving the way for inclusive forest monitoring |
| Academic publications | · Bong, I., Felker, M., & Maryudi, A. 2016. How Are Local People Driving and Affected by Forest Cover Change? Opportunities for Local Participation in REDD plus Measurement, Reporting and Verification. PLOS ONE, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0145330 · Butt, N., Epps, K., Overman, H., Iwamura, T., & Fragoso, J. 2015. Assessing carbon stocks using indigenous peoples’ field measurements in Amazonian Guyana. FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, 338, 191–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.11.014 · Damnyag, L., Bampoh, A., & Mohammed, Y. 2023. Community-based forest monitoring for REDD plus MRV in the Ansaka Conservation Area, Ghana. INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY REVIEW, 25(3), 300–309. https://doi.org/10.1505/146554823837586230 · Mateo-Vega, J., Potvin, C., Monteza, J., Bacorizo, J., Barrigón, J., Barrigón, R., López, N., Omi, L., Opua, M., Serrano, J., Cushman, K., & Meyer, C. 2017. Full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in forest monitoring for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD plus): Trial in Panama’s Darien. ECOSPHERE, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1635 · Pratihast, A., DeVries, B., Avitabile, V., de Bruin, S., Kooistra, L., Tekle, M., & Herold, M. 2014. Combining Satellite Data and Community-Based Observations for Forest Monitoring. FORESTS, 5(10), 2464–2489. https://doi.org/10.3390/f5102464 · Schmitt, C., & Mukungu, J. 2019. How to Achieve Effective Participation of Communities in the Monitoring of REDD plus Projects: A Case Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). FORESTS, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/f10090794 |
| Reports | · FAO report: Better data, better decisions: Towards impactful forest monitoring · FAO background paper: NFMA approach and process: an analysis of Cost and Time |
| Academic publications | · Birdsey, R., Angeles-Perez, G., Kurz, W., Lister, A., Olguin, M., Pan, Y., Wayson, C., Wilson, B., & Johnson, K. 2013. Approaches to monitoring changes in carbon stocks for REDD. CARBON MANAGEMENT, 4(5), 519–537. https://doi.org/10.4155/CMT.13.49 · De Sy, V., Herold, M., Achard, F., Asner, G., Held, A., Kellndorfer, J., & Verbesselt, J. 2012. Synergies of multiple remote sensing data sources for REDD+ monitoring. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, 4(6), 696–706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2012.09.013 · Di Lallo, G., Mundhenk, P., Marchetti, M., & Köhl, M. 2017. Understanding Measurement Reporting and Verification Systems for REDD plus as an Investment for Generating Carbon Benefits. FORESTS, 8(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/f8080271 |