SEPAL Forest and Land Monitoring for Climate Action

Check the progress of SEPAL activities over the last year

 

SEPAL Phase 2 project empowers users worldwide with seamless access to data and cutting-edge processing tools, enabling them to generate actionable insights for better decision-making. By supporting countries and organizations in tackling climate change, reducing deforestation, and promoting restoration, SEPAL contributes to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

This update highlights SEPAL’s progress from January to December 2025, including key achievements such as surpassing 22,000 users, global training workshops, and participation in major international events. The sections below provide an overview of main activities, outreach, and SEPAL’s wide-ranging applications in its fourth year.

 

Check the full report here

New SEPAL users 

Check out the Highlights of previous years
SEPAL highlights December 2023

Check the progress of SEPAL activities in 2023

SEPAL highlights June 2023

Check the progress of SEPAL activities up to June 2023

SEPAL Highlights 2024

Check out here the progress of SEPAL activities over the last years

22000users
44returningVisitors
300organizations
Map SEPAL users

Communication and Outreach 

OpenForis_SocialMedias
OpenForis_4500followers
FAOs_SEPAL_webpage
FAO_SEPAL_Webpage

New subpages 

Publications 

Bamboo resources assessment - A methodological approach using SEPAL with case studies in Asia
2025

This study proposes a simple and practical approach to mapping bamboo on a large scale in Southeast Asia with the help of cloud-computing tools, including...

A global methodology for the assessment of direct drivers associated with deforestation and degradation
2025

Despite international efforts and progress towards reducing deforestation and degradation, population growth, demand for natural resources and human...

Bamboo Resources Assessment in Myanmar - a methodological approach using SEPAL
2025

The presentation titled “Bamboo Resources Assessment in Myanmar: A Methodological Approach Using SEPAL” was delivered during the Global Forest Resources...

Bamboo Resources Assessment in Chittagong Region, Bangladesh - a methodological approach using SEPAL
2025

The presentation titled “Bamboo Resources Assessment in Chittagong Region, Bangladesh: A Methodological Approach Using SEPAL” was delivered during the...

Bamboo Resources Assessment in Thailand - a methodological approach using SEPAL
2025

The presentation titled “Bamboo Resources Assessment in Thailand: A Methodological Approach Using SEPAL” was delivered during the Global Forest Resources...

Assessment of drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in West Africa
2025

This report presents the methodology and main findings of an assessment conducted between 2015 and 2020 to identify the primary drivers of deforestation...

SEPAL web stories 

Dzanga-Sangha Day 2025
20/11/2025

On 18–20 November 2025, the Central African Republic (CAR) celebrated its first-ever Dzanga-Sangha Day (La Journée des Aires Protégées de Dzanga-Sangha)....

FAO’s forest monitoring revolution is rooted in Finnish open-source expertise
13/12/2025

Fifteen years ago, a Finnish-funded development project began reshaping how the world monitors its forests. Today, that initiative has evolved into...

Cocoa mapping in Cameroon: EU Sustainable Cocoa Programme advances sustainable production and forest protection
25/11/2025

The European Programme for Sustainable Cocoa (SCP), the operational arm of the European Initiative for Sustainable Cocoa, implemented with FAO, supports...

A global methodology for assessing drivers of deforestation and degradation
17/10/2025

FAO has launched a new publication, A Global Methodology for the Assessment of Direct Drivers Associated with Deforestation and Degradation, presenting...

FAO, INPE, UNDP and the Brazilian Governments join forces to improve data accuracy assessments for better forest monitoring
13/06/2025

In early June 2025, the National Institute for Space Research (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais - INPE) in Brazil hosted the workshop “Uncertainty...

FAO training strengthens SINAC's capacities in natural resource monitoring and management
10/06/2025

With the aim of strengthening national capacities for monitoring and the sustainable management of natural resources, technical staff from the National...

Innovative approaches to mapping forest change and direct drivers in Central Africa using the SEPAL platform
05/06/2025

In 2020, during the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, a bold idea emerged: estimate deforestation trends and associated drivers of deforestation...

Beyond the canopy: Mapping cocoa fields in Cameroon’s agroforestry systems for a deforestation-free cocoa
19/05/2025

Cameroon’s cocoa thrives in rich agroforestry systems, where cocoa trees coexist with towering forests, fruit trees like mango and avocado, and non-timber...

Earth Observation for Forests: Open Foris solutions driving real impact for forests and people
09/05/2025

Forests, data, and digital innovation took center stage at the Earth Observation for Forests session during the GEO...

FAO reinforces Kenya’s capacity to observe Sustainable Development Goal 15 for the conservation of mountain ecosystems
18/03/2025

Experts from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) participated in a training session led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United...

Intact forests for a healthier planet
19/02/2025

The further humans encroach upon the rainforests of our planet, the more the natural barriers that protect us from wild animal diseases disappear. Up...

Multimedia 

06/10/2025

The Webinar “A Global Methodology for the Assessment of Direct Drivers Associated with Deforestation and Degradation – Using Open Foris Solutions for Informed Decisions” was delivered on 2 October 2025. The webinar launched a new publication, presenting the concepts and insights behind the development of this approach. 

International events 

Trainings 

FAO, INPE, UNDP and the Brazilian Governments join forces to improve data accuracy assessments for better forest monitoring
13/06/2025

In early June 2025, the National Institute for Space Research (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais - INPE) in Brazil hosted the workshop “Uncertainty...

FAO training strengthens SINAC's capacities in natural resource monitoring and management
10/06/2025

With the aim of strengthening national capacities for monitoring and the sustainable management of natural resources, technical staff from the National...

FAO reinforces Kenya’s capacity to observe Sustainable Development Goal 15 for the conservation of mountain ecosystems
18/03/2025

Experts from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) participated in a training session led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United...

SEPAL contributions 

SEPAL and TFFF

SEPAL supports countries to meet Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) eligibility and monitoring standards by customizing the platform with tailored geospatial solutions. 

TFFF support includes Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea and Peru, with potential expansion to additional countries.