Market study on the use of remote sensing in IFM/REDD+ projects France, Monde

Context of the service

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that land use change has contributed 20% to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 1990.
In response to this situation, the mechanism for reducing GHG emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, including enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) is being developed within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and through voluntary projects to reduce deforestation and degradation (REDD) and improved forest management (IFM).
These projects require regular monitoring of forest areas, often on a large scale. Remote sensing is a suitable solution for these needs.
ASTRIUM, providing services based on remote sensing and geographic information system processing, wanted to evaluate the development opportunities for services dedicated to REDD+.
This assessment included a detailed review of the voluntary REDD and IFM project methodologies submitted to the Verified Carbon Standard (now called VERRA), in order to identify the needs for remote sensing and mapping products according to the life cycle of the projects, and to identify the technical specifications of these services.

Services provided

Four Enhanced Forest Management (IFM) project methodologies were analysed in order to identify the needs of this type of project in terms of:
- Analysis of satellite images,
- Analysis of cover change and implementation of regular monitoring system,
- GIS analyses,
- Production of maps,
- Specific monitoring of forest fires.
For each of these products, the study identified the technical specificities required by the methodologies, including the frequency of production, the target uncertainty and the necessary quality control and assurance procedures.
This analysis identified the types of products and services needed at the project level.

Summary of the service

Market study on the use of remote sensing in MFI/REDD+ projects: Analysis of four methodologies of improved forest management projects (IFM/REDD+) in order to assess their needs in terms of cartographic analyses (production frequency, target uncertainty, necessary control and quality assurance procedures); Identification of the types of products and services needed at the project level.