CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ROLE OF FORESTS 1

National Forest
Monitoring
Systems for
Redd+

REDD+ ACADEMY
LEARNING JOURNAL
EDITION 3 - DECEMBER 2018
Copyright © United Nations Environment Programme, 2018
ISBN: 978-92-807-3647-2
Job No: DEP/2101/NA

Published in September 2018

Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to the lead and contributing authors for the development of this learning journal.
Lead authors: Bruno Hugel (UNDP/UN-REDD)
Contributing authors and reviewers: Charlotte Hicks (UNEP/WCMC), Pierre-Yves Guedez (UNDP/
UN-REDD), Elina Vaananen (UNEP/WCMC), Marco Chiu (UNDP/UN-REDD), Joel Scriven (UNDP/UN-
REDD), Elizabeth Eggerts (UNDP/UN-REDD)

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ABOUT US
UN-REDD REDD+ACADEMY UNITAR
The UN-REDD Programme is The REDD+ Academy is a coordinated The United Nations Institute for
the United Nations collaborative REDD+ capacity development initiative Training and Research (UNITAR) is a
initiative on Reducing Emissions from led by the UN-REDD Programme and principal training arm of the United
Deforestation and forest Degradation the UNEP Environmental Education Nations, working in every region of
(REDD) in developing countries. The and Training Unit, which seeks to the world. We empower individuals,
Programme was launched in 2008 match the scale of the global climate governments and organizations
and builds on the convening role and change mitigation challenge and through knowledge and learning to
technical expertise of the Food and enable systematic, focused capacity effectively overcome contemporary
Agriculture Organization of the United development to deliver REDD+ on the global challenges.
Nations (FAO), the United Nations ground.
Our training targets two key groups
Development Programme (UNDP)
The REDD+ Academy is a of beneficiaries: the delegates
and the United Nations Environment
comprehensive response to capacity to the United Nations and others
Programme (UNEP).
building needs identified by the who develop intergovernmental
The UN-REDD Programme supports countries receiving support from the agreements establishing global
nationally-led REDD+ processes UN-REDD Programme. The main aim norms, policies, and programmes,
and promotes the informed and of the REDD+ Academy is to empower and the key national change agents
meaningful involvement of all potential “REDD+ champions” with who turn the global agreements into
stakeholders, including Indigenous the requisite knowledge and skills to action at the national level.
Peoples and other forest-dependent promote the implementation of national
communities, in national and REDD+ activities.
international REDD+ implementation.

MONIKA GAIL Dear Learner,

MACDEVETTE
DIRECTOR, A.I. Welcome to the second edition of the REDD+ Academy Learning Journals. The journals provide
ECOSYSTEMS DIVISION, you with state of the art knowledge on REDD+ planning and implementation, developed by some
UN ENVIRONMENT of the world’s leading experts at the UN-REDD Programme.
The journals have been designed to accompany you in your learning journey and equip you with
the necessary knowledge to understand the various components of REDD+, from the basics to
the finer points of setting reference levels, monitoring, allocation of incentives and stakeholder
engagement.
With deforestation and forest degradation being the third largest source of greenhouse
gas emissions globally, action to reduce deforestation and to rebuild forests globally is vital.
By realizing social and economic benefits, REDD+ is also fundamental to delivering on the
Sustainable Development Agenda.
Following the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the focus of many developing countries is now
firmly on REDD+ implementation. I encourage you to take the REDD+ Academy online course,
and apply your knowledge to make REDD+ a national and a global success!
HOW TO USE THIS LEARNING JOURNAL

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CONTENTS

Climate Change and the Understanding REDD+ and National Forest Monitoring Forest Reference [Emission]
Role of Forests the UNFCCC Systems for REDD+ Levels for REDD+

Drivers of Deforestation Policies and Measures for REDD+ Safeguards Approaches for the
and Forest Degradation REDD+ Implementation under the UNFCCC Allocation of Incentives

National Strategies or REDD+ Finance Stakeholder Engagement

Action Plans in REDD+ Good Governance

What are NFMS?

Activities
Why is NFMS necessary?
Exercise
Implementing NFMS Multiple choices

Reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and removals Exercise

Multiple choices
 LEARNING JOURNAL
6
 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ V-1

National Forest Monitoring

Systems for REDD+
This module looks at how countries can measure their REDD+
performance in terms of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The module includes explanations about:

• What is meant by National Forest Monitoring Systems
(NFMS)
• Why NFMS are required, with reference to the
UNFCCC
• How NFMS are developed and implemented

What do you already know about this topic?

 LEARNING JOURNAL
2

National Forest Monitoring Systems

for Redd+
●● Phase 2: Piloting NFMS with REDD+
What is A NFMS? demonstration activities;
In the context of REDD+, a NFMS is a system for ●● Phase 3: Full implementation of NFMS with
recording and monitoring how land is used in a REDD+ policies and measures.
country, and to develop data which shows the
level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and By combining information about how land use
removals related to forests. patterns are changing through, for example,
deforestation or afforestation, with information
The aim of a NFMS is to assess the performance from a national forest inventory (NFI), it is
of REDD+ activities. NFMS for REDD+ should be possible to estimate overall GHG emissions for
implemented in phases: the forest sector.
●● Phase 1: Gathering initial data; developing A NFMS has several elements. They are
capacity, institutions and infrastructure; summarized in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Elements of a NFMS

Source: UN-REDD Programme

The various elements of the NFMS perform two referred to as activity data (AD). For REDD+,
functions: AD must be transparent and freely available.
1. Monitoring 2. Forest carbon stocks, usually measured
2. Measurement, reporting and verification through a ground-based NFI. This is used
(MRV) to produce emission factors (EF). An EF is a
coefficient that indicates the GHG emissions
The MRV function is specific to REDD+, while the that will result from a unit of change (e.g. 1
monitoring function is important for both REDD+ hectare of deforestation) in a particular type
and other purposes in the forestry sector. of forest.
Under the MRV function, two things are Emissions of all GHGs are important, but most
measured: emissions from the Land Use, Land Use Change
1. Changes in extent, quality or type of and Forestry (LULUCF) sector are of carbon
forestland, usually measured through satellite- dioxide (CO2), so EFs are measured in tonnes of
based remote sensing technology. This is CO2 equivalent (tCO2e).
 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ 3

Forests and other terrestrial ecosystems i. Measurable – i.e. a country can calculate
sequester carbon in biomass and soil. The rate estimates of GHG emissions reductions and
at which a particular forest type sequesters carbon sink enhancements
carbon is known as a removal factor (RF).
ii. Reportable – i.e. a country can produce a GHG-I
The combination of AD with EFs and RFs can that is transparent, accurate and complete
be used to develop a national estimate of GHG
iii. Verifiable – i.e. third parties can access all
emissions from forests over a particular period
the information required to verify the GHG-I
of time. This estimate is part of a country’s
Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHG-I). Decision 2/CP.13: Reducing emissions from
deforestation in developing countries:
approaches to stimulate action

Why is a NFMS necessary? Paragraph 2:

A NFMS is one of the four elements that countries

“Encourages all Parties, in a position to do so,
are required to develop in order to participate
to support capacity-building, provide technical
in REDD+ under the United Nations Framework
assistance, facilitate the transfer of technology
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (see
to improve, inter alia, data collection,
the module on Understanding REDD+ and
estimation of emissions from deforestation
the UNFCCC). The evolution of guidance on
and forest degradation, monitoring and REFLECTION
NFMS under the UNFCCC is provided below
reporting, and address the institutional needs POINT
with the Bali Action Plan, and decisions under the
of developing countries to estimate and
Copenhagen, Cancun, and Warsaw Conference What challenges
reduce emissions from deforestation and
of Parties (the Conference of Parties, or COP, is do you envisage
forest degradation”
the key decision-making body of the UNFCCC).1 with the
This paragraph endorses efforts to provide measurement
developing countries with technical and institutional of activity data
COP 13: Bali (2007) support for developing NFMS for REDD+. and emission
factors?
Decision 1/CP.13: The Bali Action Plan: Annex, Paragraph 2:
Paragraph 1 (b) calls for: Can you suggest
“Estimates of reductions or increases ways these
of emissions should be results based, challenges may
“Enhanced national/international be overcome
demonstrable, transparent and verifiable, and
action on mitigation of climate in your specific
estimated consistently over time.”
change, including … consideration of: context –
…Nationally appropriate mitigation actions This paragraph gives a clear indication of the discuss in small
by developing country Parties in the context attributes that a NFMS for REDD+ should have. groups.
of sustainable development, supported
and enabled by technology, financing and
capacity-building, in a measurable, reportable COP 15: Copenhagen (2009)
and verifiable manner…” Decision 4/CP.15: Methodological guidance for
The term ‘MRV’ comes from this paragraph, activities relating to reducing emissions from
which refers to mitigation actions in general, not deforestation and forest degradation and the
just REDD+. The Bali Action Plan encourages role of conservation, sustainable management of
all countries to reduce their GHG emissions in a forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks
way that is: in developing countries.

1 The UNFCCC has gathered the full text of the decisions of the
COP relevant to REDD+ in the ‘Decision booklet REDD+’
(UNFCCC, 2014).
 LEARNING JOURNAL
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Paragraph 1 points explicitly to the Paragraph 73 states that REDD+ activities should be:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
as the source of guidance and recommended “implemented in phases, beginning with the
methodologies for a NFMS for REDD+. Specifically, development of national strategies or action
it requests developing country Parties: plans, policies and measures, and capacity-
building, followed by the implementation
“To use the most recent IPCC guidance and of national policies and measures and
guidelines, as adopted or encouraged by the national strategies or action plans that could
COP, as appropriate, as a basis for estimating involve further capacity-building, technology
anthropogenic forest-related greenhouse gas development and transfer and results-based
emissions by sources and removals by sinks, demonstration activities, and evolving into
forest carbon stocks and forest area change.” results-based actions that should be fully
measured, reported and verified”
It also asks them:
This paragraph describes how REDD+, including
“To establish, according to national NFMS, should be developed through a phased
circumstances and capabilities, robust and approach.
transparent national forest monitoring systems
and, if appropriate, sub-national systems as
part of national monitoring systems that: COP 19: Warsaw (2013)

1. Use a combination of remote sensing and Decision 11/CP.19: Modalities for national forest
ground-based forest carbon inventory monitoring systems
approaches for estimating, as appropriate, Paragraph 2:
anthropogenic forest-related greenhouse gas
emissions by sources and removals by sinks,
“Decides that the development of Parties’
forest carbon stocks and forest area changes
national forest monitoring systems … should
2. Provide estimates that are transparent, take into account the guidance provided in
consistent, as far as possible accurate, and decision 4/CP.15 and be guided by the most
that reduce uncertainties, taking into account recent IPCC guidance and guidelines, as
national capabilities and capacities adopted or encouraged by the COP … as a basis
for estimating anthropogenic forest-related
3. Are transparent and their results are available
greenhouse gas emissions by sources, and
and suitable for review as agreed by the
removals by sinks, forest carbon stocks, and
Conference of the Parties”
forest carbon stock and forest-area changes”
This paragraph changes the guidance given in
COP 16: Cancun (2010) paragraph 1 of 4/CP.15 into a decision.
Decision 1/CP.16: The Cancun Agreements: Paragraph 3:
Paragraph 71 requests developing country Parties
aiming to undertake REDD+ activities to develop: “Also decides that robust national forest
monitoring systems should provide data and
information that are transparent, consistent
“A robust and transparent national forest
over time, and are suitable for measuring,
monitoring system for the monitoring
reporting and verifying anthropogenic forest-
and reporting of REDD+ activities, with,
related emissions by sources and removals by
if appropriate, subnational monitoring
sinks, forest carbon stocks, and forest carbon
and reporting as an interim measure, in
stock and forest-area changes resulting from
accordance with national circumstances…”
the implementation of [REDD+] activities …
This paragraph stipulates a NFMS as one of the consistent with guidance on measuring, reporting
four elements of REDD+. and verifying nationally appropriate mitigation
actions by developing country Parties agreed
by the COP, taking into account methodological
guidance in accordance with decision 4/CP.15”
 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ 5

This paragraph formalises more of the earlier Paragraph 5:

guidance into decisions, and emphasises
the importance of following the guidance on “Encourages Parties to improve the data and
MRV set out in 1/CP.13 in relation to Nationally methodologies used over time, while maintaining
Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). consistency with the established or, as
Paragraph 4: appropriate, updated, forest reference emission
levels and/or forest reference levels …”
“Further decides that national forest monitoring This paragraph indicates that many countries are
systems … should: not expected to have advanced methods and
●● Build upon existing systems, as appropriate; datasets to begin with, but that this should not
prevent them from initiating efforts to develop a
●● Enable the assessment of different types of NFMS for REDD+.
forest in the country, including natural forest,
as defined by the Party; Paragraph 6:

●● Be flexible and allow for improvement;

“Decides that … the data and information referred
●● Reflect, as appropriate, the phased approach to in paragraph 3 above [the data for REDD+]
as referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraphs 73 should be provided through the biennial update
and 74” reports by Parties …”
This paragraph emphasises that a NFMS for This paragraph describes the means through
REDD+ has no fixed formula, will develop which countries should report REDD+ results.
according to national circumstances and will, for
Paragraph 7:
most countries, not start from scratch.
Decision 14/CP.19: Modalities for measuring, “Requests developing country Parties seeking
reporting and verifying: to obtain and receive payments for results-
Paragraph 3: based actions, when submitting the data and
information referred to in paragraph 3 above,
through the biennial update reports, to supply a
“Decides that the data and information used by
technical annex…”
Parties in the estimation of anthropogenic forest-
related emissions by sources and removals by This paragraph indicates that when countries
sinks, forest carbon stocks, and forest carbon report on their REDD+ results, they should
stock and forest-area changes…should be describe, in a technical annex, how they
transparent, and consistent over time and with conducted their measurements. As with REDD+
the established forest reference emission levels in general, however, this is on a voluntary basis,
and/or forest reference levels…” so if a country is not seeking REDD+ payments it
does not have to submit a technical annex.
This paragraph describes the quality of data that
must be used in MRV for REDD+. Paragraph 10:
Paragraph 4:
“Also decides that, upon the request of the
developing country Party seeking to obtain and
“Agrees that … the results of the implementation …
receive payments for results-based actions,
of [REDD+] activities, measured against the forest
two LULUCF experts from the UNFCCC roster
reference emission levels and/or forest reference
of experts, one each from a developing country
levels should be expressed in tCO2e/year”
and a developed country Party, will be included
This paragraph describes the units in which among the members selected for the technical
REDD+ results should be measured team of experts”
This paragraph describes how the verification of
REDD+ results will be carried out.
Annex: Guidelines for elements to be included in
the technical annex referred to in paragraph 7
 LEARNING JOURNAL
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This annex lists the elements that a country 4. A description of national forest monitoring
should include in its report on REDD+ results: systems and the institutional roles and
responsibilities for measuring, reporting and
1. Summary information from the final report
verifying the results;
containing each corresponding assessed FREL/
FRL (described in described in the module on 5. Necessary informatiwon that allows for the
Forest Reference [Emission] Levels); reconstruction of the results;
2. Results are expressed in tCO2e/year, 6. A description of how the elements contained
consistent with the assessed FREL/FRL; in Decision 4/CP.15, paragraph 1(c) and (d),
have been taken into account.
3. Demonstration that the methodologies are
consistent with those used to establish the
assessed FREL/FRL;

Table 2 Summary of COP decisions regarding NFMS

Agreement Summary
UNFCCC: Text of the Parties will publish and make available national inventories of
Convention (1992), Article anthropogenic sources and removals by sinks, using similar methods.
4: Commitments:
Bali Action Plan (2007) All parties are encouraged to reduce their GHG emissions in ways that are
measurable, reportable and verifiable. Capacity building should be supported
Copenhagen (2009) Emissions from forests should be reported according to IPCC guidelines.
NFMS should be established using consistent methodologies.
Cancun (2010) NFMS is one of the four key elements of REDD+ and should be
developed through a phased approach.
Warsaw (2013) Formalises earlier guidance into decisions, describes the quality of
NFMS required for measurement of REDD+ results, and the methods of
reporting and verification.

Implementing a NFMAs noted above, a NFMS is There are a number of tools to support these
a system for monitoring and measuring changes guidelines and which can help countries
in forest-related land use in a country, and for implement NFMS methodologies and calculate
developing data showing the resulting levels of greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. Emission Factor Database (EFDB) is a repository
As such, it is central to the assessment of REDD+ of EFs for use in REDD+ reporting. It is available
activities. via the homepage of the Task Force on
Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
How the IPCC Guidelines help
IPCC Guidelines
The IPCC guidelines are designed to help
The IPCC has developed detailed
countries produce accurate national or sectoral
methodological guidance on compiling national
GHG-I. Countries should neither over- nor under-
GHG-I encompassing all land-use types,
estimate emissions, as far as can be judged, and
including forests. The UNFCCC has decided
reduce uncertainties as far as possible.
that this guidance should be considered when
implementing a NFMS for REDD+. Specifically, the guidelines help to develop a
GHG-I that is:
Thus countries implementing REDD+ should use
the Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land- 1. Transparent
Use Change and Forestry, which was adopted in 2. Well-documented
2003, and the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National 3. Consistent over time
Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
4. Complete
5. Comparable
6. Subject to quality control and assurance
 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ 7

They also help countries to use their resources Each land-use category is further disaggregated
efficiently, and to produce a GHG-I that will to reflect past and current land use. For example,
become increasingly accurate over time, as under forest land there are the sub-categories:
more information becomes available.
●● Forest land remaining forest land
●● Grassland converted to forest land
Categorizing land-use ●● Cropland converted to forest land, etc.
Land-use categorization provides the basis Land-use categories and sub-categories may
for the land-use monitoring that can measure be further sub-divided according to land-use
changes and provide the data needed to practices or biophysical characteristics of the
estimate GHG emissions, including those related land. For example, forest land can be sub-
to forests. divided by forest type as follows:
The IPCC divides land into six categories, based ●● Lowland tropical forest
on how it is used:
1. Forest land ●● Mangroves, etc.
2. Grassland This categorisation can be represented by a
3. Cropland land stratification ‘tree’ such as the one in Figure
3 produced for Mongolia.
4. Wetland
5. Settlement
6. Other land

Figure 3 Mongolia categorization of land

Source: UN-REDD Programme

 LEARNING JOURNAL
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It is important when designing and maintaining National Forest Inventories

systems for land-use categorization that they are:
A National Forest Inventory is a detailed periodic
●● Adequate: capable of representing land- survey of the extent, type and quality of forest
use categories, and conversions between in a country. For NFMS, an NFI provides data
land-use categories, as needed to estimate on the carbon stocks held in forested land.
carbon stock changes and greenhouse gas These can be used to generate the EFs needed
emissions and removals; to calculate emissions from changes in forest
●● Consistent: capable of representing land- cover. Governments can also use NFI data also
use categories consistently over time, for monitoring and for national and sub-national
without being unduly affected by artificial decision-making.
discontinuities in time-series data; The IPCC guidelines link NFIs to GHG reporting
●● Complete: that all land within a country requirements. When GHG reporting is done at
should be included, with increases in some Tier 2 or Tier 3 levels (these terms are explained
areas balanced by decreases in others, in the following section on reporting), the NFI
recognizing the bio-physical stratification of must contain:
land if needed; and ●● Country-specific estimated EFs;
●● Transparent: data sources, definitions, ●● Inventory data based on multiple time
methodologies and assumptions should be periods;
clearly described.
●● Uncertainty analysis of the data within the
inventory;
Key categories ●● Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/
Countries should identify land-use categories QC) measures taken to ensure accuracy,
that are particularly significant in terms of consistency and reliability of the data.
greenhouse gas emissions. Categories may be
regarded as key if:
●● The absolute level of emissions is high in Reporting on greenhouse gas
comparison to other categories;
emissions and removals
●● Emissions are increasing or decreasing fast;
and Having explained the role of the IPCC guidelines
and of NFIs, the Measurement, Reporting and
●● There is a degree of uncertainty regarding Verification (MRV) function (see Figure 4) will now
the level or trend of emissions. be examined in detail.
Identifying key categories helps to prioritize the
allocation of effort and resources, to make sure
that there is better data for these categories.
There are also reporting implications for key
categories in terms of which tier should be used,
as explained in more detail below.
 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ 9

Figure 4 Measurement, reporting and verificiation

Source: UN-REDD Programme

Figure 5 shows the MRV reporting cycle for GHG emissions estimates under REDD+, summarizing
the process of gathering, processing, submitting and verifying forest monitoring data.

Figure 5 MRV reporting cycle for REDD+

Source: UN-REDD Programme

REFLECTION POINT
Do you know if a National Forest
Inventory has been completed in
your country?
 LEARNING JOURNAL
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The ultimate aim of a NFMS is to make reliable IPCC guidance is that countries should
estimates of GHGs being emitted into and characterize and account for all relevant
removed from the atmosphere by a country’s land areas consistently and as transparently
forests. The challenge with this activity is that as possible and the data should reflect the
land-use is constantly changing, as illustrated in historical trends in land-use area.
Figure 6. As an area of land changes from one
The IPCC 2003 LULUCF Guidance suggests
use to another its net emissions will also change,
three approaches:
so the crucial issue with NFMS is keeping
accurate records of area of each land use type. ●● Approach 1: Basic land-use data (land-use
types at times 1 and 2)
●● Approach 2: Survey of land-use and land-use
Figure 6 Land use interactions
change (changes from and to a category)
●● Approach 3: Geographically explicit land-use
data (known locations of changes between
categories)
In most developing countries the only way
to represent land use in a consistent and
transparent way with a historical timeframe of 20
years is the use of satellite remote sensing data,
which allows the adoption of Approach 3.
Following Approach 3, gathering geographically-
explicit land-use data requires spatially explicit
observations of land-use and land-use change,
for example as shown in Figure 7.

Source : UN-REDD Programme

Figure 7 Geographically explicit land use data

Time 1 Time 2
Legend:
Source: UN-REDD Programme
G: Grassland

F: Forestland

C: Cropland

S: Settlements

This data may be obtained either by:

●● Sampling geographically located points
●● A complete tally (wall-to-wall mapping)
●● A combination of the two
 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ 11

This method is comprehensive and relatively ●● A web-GIS portal makes it possible to

simple conceptually, yet is data-intensive to visualize and transparently share data,
implement. There is a range of tools available including results from the implementation of
that can be used to gather, analyse and present REDD+ policies
data.
Figure 8 shows, as an example, a web site set
●● Satellite remote sensing is cost-effective for up by the government of Papua New Guinea
covering large areas showing results from its monitoring program for
REDD+. (More of the data can be seen at http://
png-nfms.org/portal/)

Figure 8 Example of a web-GIS portal in Papua New Guinea

Users can easily interact with the data, for critical data that can inform forest monitoring
instance manipulating data layers to select systems. For example, women, given their
specific areas or layers of interest, or to roles in communities and use of forests, tend
download statistics. They can also provide to often have highly specialized knowledge
feedback on the content. of forests in terms of species diversity and
management, and thus can help play a vital
REFLECTION
role in forest monitoring. However, women (as
POINT
Role of Local communities and well as other marginalized groups, such as
youth, poor, disabled, etc.) often face social, What
indigenous people in Monitoring technologies
economic and cultural inequalities and legal
Community monitoring can allow for bottom-up impediments that limit their engagement in such does your
validation of satellite data, and the incorporation activities. Therefore, in such community-based country use to
of local knowledge into national monitoring. support forest
monitoring approaches, it is key to ensure that
monitoring?
With proper capacity building, engaging women, men and youth are equitably involved
indigenous people and local communities and can meaningfully participate. Doing so can
in monitoring can build support for REDD+ help contribute to the robustness of local forest
and promote its effective implementation. monitoring systems and increase ownership and
Additionally, gender-differentiated needs, uses, sustainability of REDD+.
skills, and knowledge of forests can provide
 LEARNING JOURNAL
12

Measuring carbon stored

There are two ways of measuring changes in the amount of forest carbon. These are summarised in
Figure 9.

Figure 9 Two ways of measuring forest carbon

Source: UN-REDD Programme

Then, the net gain or loss to the current carbon

stock figure is added.
In the stock-difference method, it is required to
This process, of course, relies on data held in
know the amounts of carbon present at both
the NFI, which shows how important it is that NFI
times 1 and 2. The change is then simply the
data contains reliable data on:
difference between the two figures. Although
this is simple, most developing countries do not ●● Diverse ecological conditions and/or
have inventories of carbon at two different times, management regimes
so instead they almost all use the gain-loss
●● Emissions and removals due to human activity
method.
●● Changes in all five carbon pools wherever
The gain-loss method starts with the figure for
possible (above-ground biomass, dead wood,
the current carbon stock based on a recent NFI,
soil organic carbon, litter and below-ground
and then estimates:
biomass)
●● Losses due to harvesting, fuel wood removal,
When the data on land use and changes is
charcoal production, sub-canopy fires,
entered into a GHG Inventory spreadsheet (such
grazing, etc
as the one shown in Figure 10), and combined
●● Gains due to growth and forest enrichment. with relevant emission and removal factors, it
is possible to calculate the implied emission or
removal.
 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ 13

Figure 10 GHG Inventory spreadsheet example

Source: UN-REDD Programme

Determining emission factors emission and removal factors for the most
important land-use categories, then uses
One challenge that countries face when carrying IPCC default assumptions and methodology
out forest monitoring activities is deciding on
emission factors. The guidelines help with this by ●● Tier 3 – uses country-specific assumptions,
providing three tiers for reporting: methodology and data (which are
subsequently reviewed).
●● Tier 1 –uses IPCC methodology with
internationally-derived emission factors
This is summarized in table 11.
●● Tier 2 – applies country- or region-specific

Table 11 Emission factors

Source : UN-REDD Programme

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It is possible to use a combination of tiers and Higher tiers should be adopted for key land use
methods. For example, in the LULUCF sector, categories (wherever possible) together with
different tiers can be used: the use of country-specific and climatic region-
specific emission and removal factors. Figure 12
●● For different land-use categories (e.g. tier 2
summarizes some of the issues associated with
for forest land and tier 1 for grassland); and
linking categories and tiers. Using Tiers 2 and 3
●● Within a given land-use category for different increases the accuracy and reduces uncertainty
carbon pools (e.g. tier 1 for below-ground but also makes the process more expensive,
biomass and tier 2 for above-ground biomass). whereas adopting a Tier 1 approach makes the
process more feasible.
When using higher tiers, countries need to provide
additional documentation to support decisions to
use more sophisticated methodologies or country-
defined parameters.

Figure 12 Issues associated with linking categories and tiers

Source : UN-REDD Programme

Reporting for REDD+ resulting from methodological differences;

There are clearly defined processes for reporting ●● Accurate – the GHG-I contains neither under-
on REDD+ progress. These processes have been nor over-estimates so far as can be judged,
designed to make sure that the reporting is: and efforts have been made to reduce bias.
●● Transparent – there is sufficient clear There are two ways for countries to report to
documentation showing how the inventory the UNFCCC on progress with REDD+. Both are
was compiled, following good practice channels for communicating a country’s overall
REFLECTION requirements; GHG emissions and mitigation efforts:
POINT
●● Complete – estimates are reported for all 1. National Communications (NC), which
What area (land
sources, sinks and gases; include data and information on:
use/specific
area, etc.) in ●● National in coverage; ●● National circumstances
your country
would you ●● Comparable – reporting should follow ●● Vulnerability assessment
prioritize for international guidance and templates;
●● Financial resources and technology transfer
achieving Tier 3 ●● Consistent – consistent with IPCC guidance for climate change
information (if it
and guidelines (such as Forest Reference
were possible)? ●● Education, training, public awareness
[Emission] Levels);inventories should aim to
Why?
reflect the real fluctuations in emissions and ●● National GHG inventory
removals, and not be subject to changes
 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ 15

2. Biennial Update Reports (shortened to BUR), Verification

to which a country may add a Technical Annex
of results from the implementation of REDD+ During the final verification stage, two LULUCF
activities in order to access REDD+ finance. experts assess the technical annex of the BUR
following the International Consultation and
The aim of a BUR is to provide an update Analysis (ICA) process, and then prepare a
on the most recently submitted National technical report reflecting their assessment. This
Communication in the following areas: report will include an analysis of the results in the
●● National circumstances and institutional annex and areas identified for improvement. The
arrangements; technical assessment includes the possibility of
discussions with the country for clarifications.
●● National GHG inventory;
A final report by the LULUCF experts, including
●● Mitigation actions and their effects, including comments from the country, is then published on
methodologies; the UNFCCC REDD+ web platform.
●● Constraints and gaps and related financial,
technical and capacity needs;
●● Level of support received to prepare and
submit the BUR;
●● Domestic measurement, reporting and
verification.
GIZ has developed guidelines and a template for
preparing a BUR1. REFLECTION POINT
The NFI plays an integral part in the MRV process and it therefore requires reliable
data. In different country contexts there are going to be different challenges. What
Quality control of country reports do you believe are the challenges associated with the NFI and the data it requires
After submission, reports are subjected to a in your country? Do you have any lessons to share from your country’s experience?
thorough quality control and assurance process.
For quality control, there are routine and
consistent checks to identify and address errors
and omissions, ensure data integrity, correctness
and completeness. Inventory material is
documented and archived, and a record is made
of all QA activities.
REFLECTION POINT
For QA, reviews should be carried out on a
finalized inventory following the implementation Your country may be reporting to the UNFCCC on a number of possible
mechanisms. What is your country’s experience with the UNFCCC reporting
of the QC procedures, and this should preferably
processes?
be done by independent third parties.
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EXERCISE

Both of the following multiple choice exercises refer to UNFCCC COP 19 decisions
(Warsaw, 2013):
Multiple choice quiz – NFMS and the UNFCCC. The Warsaw Framework a
for REDD+. Decision 14/CP.19.
With reference to the text for Decision 14/CP.19 (Modalities for measuring, b
reporting and verifying), answer the following questions (complete the
exercise individually then compare your answers with your neighbour) c
i. What should be Measured Reported and Verified (MRV):
a. Anthropogenic forest-related greenhouse gas emissions by sources
and removals by sinks
b. Forest carbon stocks
c. Forest carbon stock changes
d. Forest area changes
e. All the above

ii. REDD+ MRV systems should be consistent with:

a. MRV systems for Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions
b. Landsat
c. NGOs
d. All the above

iii. REDD+ MRV systems should be:

a. Transparent
b. Consistent with a countries established Forest Reference Emission
Level (FREL)
c. Used to maximize REDD+ payments
d. Answers a and b above

iv. REDD+ MRV reporting is:

a. Voluntary
b. Mandatory
c. Required for results-based payments under the UNFCCC
d. Answers a and c above

v. REDD+ MRV reporting should be done through:

a. NGOs
b. A technical annex to Biennial update reports to the UNFCCC
c. Wikipedia
d. All the above
 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ V-17
17

EXERCISE

Multiple choice quiz – NFMS and the UNFCCC. The Warsaw a

Framework for REDD+. Decision 11/CP.19.
With reference to the text for Decision 11/CP.19 (Modalities for national b
forest monitoring systems), answer the following questions (complete the
exercise individually then compare your answers with your neighbour): c
i. National Forest Monitoring Systems should be guided by:
a. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
b. The Kyoto Protocol
c. The United Nations Convention on Biodiversity and Desertification
d. All the above

ii. National Forest Monitoring Systems should be:

a. Transparent
b. Consistent over time
c. Suitable for Measurement Reporting and Verification (MRV)
d. All the above

iii. National Forest Monitoring Systems should be:

a. Applied at a regional level
b. Applied at a national level
c. Applied sub-nationally as an interim measure (moving to a national
system)
d. Answers b and c

iv. National Forest Monitoring Systems should be:

a. Built on existing systems
b. Flexible and allow for improvement
c. Enable the assessment of different types of forest in the country
d. Reflect the phased approach to REDD+
e. All the above
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KEY MESSAGES
●● A NFMS is one of the four elements that countries are required to develop in order to
participate in REDD+ under the UNFCCC;
●● There are two functions to a NFMS: measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) of REDD+
and forest monitoring;
●● The technical pillars of the NFMS are Satellite Land Monitoring Systems, National Forest
Inventory and GHG Inventory;
●● The IPCC has developed a number of guidelines that can be used to help countries
implement NFMS.

WHAT FURTHER QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT THIS TOPIC?

 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REDD+ 19

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References and resources

●● IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Prepared by the
National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme. Eggleston, H.S., Buendia, L., Miwa, K., Ngara,
T. and K. Tanabe (eds). IGES, Japan. Available at: http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/
index.html
●● IPCC (2003). Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry. Penman, J.,
Gytarsky, M., Hiraishi, T., Krug, T., Kruger, D., Pipatti, R., Buendia, L., Miwa, K., Ngara, T., Tanabe, K.,
and F. Wagner (eds). IGES, Japan. Available at: http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gpglulucf/
gpglulucf.html

Web resources
●● Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, at http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/
index.html. The site, hosted by the IPCC, gives access to technical materials and tools including
the Emission Factor Database (EFDB).
●● REDD+ Web Platform, at http://redd.unfccc.int/. The UNFCC’s hub for sharing information and
lessons learned about REDD+ activities.
●● UNFCCC website, at https://unfccc.int/2860.php (not unfccc.int). A source of information on the
convention and, in its ‘Land Use and Climate Change’ section, on REDD+. The IPCC guidance
on compiling greenhouse gas inventories can also be found at https://unfccc.int/land_use_and_
climate_change/redd_web_platform/items/6734.php
●● UN-REDD Programme, at: http://www.un-redd.org/, and its Collaborative Online Workspace, at
http://www.unredd.net/. Provides resources and a discussion forum to support countries engaged
in REDD+ and promote stakeholder engagement.
●● Wageningen University, GOFC-GOLD, World Bank FCPF, 2015. REDD+ training materials, including
on forest monitoring, at https://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/redd-training-material-forest-
monitoring.
 LEARNING JOURNAL
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United Nations Institute

for Training and Research

UN-REDD Programme Secretariat

International Environment House,

11-13 Chemin des Anémones,
CH-1219 Châtelaine, Geneva, Switzerland.

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.un-redd.org
Workspace: www.unredd.net