Global Carbon Monitoring System
Global deforestation and forest degradation results in approximately 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, second only to the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy.
Momentum has been building for increased international action on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD). REDD is referred to as REDD+ to emphasise the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations in Bali in December 2007, countries agreed to work toward including REDD+ in a post-2012 global climate change agreement.
REDD+ activities in developing countries offer one of the most cost-effective opportunities for reducing emissions in the short-term and should be comprehensively and effectively included in a post-2012 global climate change agreement.
An internationally agreed approach to carbon monitoring is required to support the inclusion of REDD+ in a post-2012 global climate change agreement.
Global Carbon Monitoring System
Countries intending to participate in a forest carbon mechanism that includes REDD+ will require robust national carbon accounting systems.
International agreement on independently verifiable technical, methodological and institutional performance specifications for national monitoring, reporting and verification frameworks will be critical to a successful post-2012 outcome.
Australia, through the $273 million International Forest Carbon Initiative, is working internationally to foster agreement on these issues and develop a global carbon monitoring system.
Australia is a leading government in the efforts by the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) to develop on a Global Forest Observation Initiative (GFOI).
Australia’s role
Australia has a particular expertise and interest in carbon accounting systems for land-based sectors, including forests. Australia is working with others with similar interests and needs to develop the global forest carbon monitoring capability to assist countries in developing national systems. Australia will contribute to this important work by sharing our experiences and, where relevant, our technologies.
Australia is also partnering with governments and communities in developing countries to set up their own national carbon accounting systems that suit their specific needs and capacities. Monitoring forest carbon uses both satellite data and on-ground forest measurements.
Australia is actively contributing to this effort through the GEO. GEO has launched GFOI to support countries in developing their own robust forest observation capability. The Committee for Earth Observation Satellites, comprised of the major space agencies, is supporting GEO with the supply of satellite data for this initiative.
To assist within our neighbouring region, Australia is installing a new ground receiving station to provide better access to satellite data. We are also purchasing archived historical data so that changes in forest cover and carbon trends can be monitored over time. This data is held and distributed through a facility established by the Australian Government Geosciences Australia, our national geospatial organisation.
Australia is working with other partners like the Clinton Foundation and software company, the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), to develop decision support tools as part of supporting carbon monitoring systems.
We are already working openly and collaboratively with countries in our region to facilitate access to technology and build capacity. Capacity building is an essential element to ensure that countries are able to manage and sustain these monitoring systems into the future.
The objective is for all countries to have sound forest monitoring systems that combine satellite and on-ground data with accounting tools. These efforts will provide a base for broader use including the verification of emission reduction efforts and will encourage sustainable management of forests.