Integration of remote-sensing and ground-based observations for estimation of emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in forests Methods and Guidance from the Global Forest Observations Initiative Edition 3.0 Integration of remote-sensing and ground-based observations for estimation of emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in forests Methods and Guidance from the Global Forest Observations Initiative Edition 3.0 June 2020 Methods and Guidance from the Global Forest Observations Initiative Edition 3.0 i Table of Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................... xi Acronyms ....................................................................................................................................... xiii Explanation of Key Terms ............................................................................................................ xvii Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ xxi Purpose and Scope ....................................................................................................................... xxiv Structure ........................................................................................................................................ xxvi Chapter 1 Institutional Arrangements ....................................................................................... 1 1.1 Foundation elements ................................................................................................................. 3 1.1.1 Institutionalisation .................................................................................................................. 3 1.1.2 Developing capacity .............................................................................................................. 6 1.1.3 External partnerships and collaboration ................................................................................ 7 1.2 Strategic elements ................................................................................................................... 14 1.2.1 Mandate ............................................................................................................................... 14 1.2.2 Identification of information needs and stakeholders .......................................................... 14 1.2.3 Effective use of resources ................................................................................................... 15 1.2.4 Communication and dissemination ...................................................................................... 17 1.3 Operational elements .............................................................................................................. 19 1.3.1 Processes .............................................................................................................................. 19 1.3.2 Information management ..................................................................................................... 22 1.3.3 Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................ 23 1.3.4 Documentation ..................................................................................................................... 30 1.3.5 Quality assurance and quality control ................................................................................. 31 1.3.6 Continuous improvement ..................................................................................................... 35 1.4 Maturing of NFMS through system representation and analysis ............................................ 36 1.4.1 System representation .......................................................................................................... 37 1.4.2 System evaluation ................................................................................................................ 38 1.4.3 Prioritisation ......................................................................................................................... 43 1.4.4 System improvement ........................................................................................................... 43 Chapter 2 Technical Design Decisions ...................................................................................... 45 2.1 Monitoring goals and scope under the UNFCCC ................................................................... 45 2.2 Reporting harmonisation ........................................................................................................ 48 2.3 Use of IPCC good practice guidance in the context of the UNFCCC .................................... 48 2.3.1 Land categories and conversions ......................................................................................... 51 2.3.2 Activity based and land based reporting ............................................................................. 53 2.3.3 Stratification ......................................................................................................................... 56 2.3.4 Methods ............................................................................................................................... 57 ii 2.3.5 Approaches .......................................................................................................................... 61 2.3.6 Tiers ..................................................................................................................................... 63 2.3.7 Pools and gases ................................................................................................................... 67 2.3.8 Time series consistency and recalculations ......................................................................... 68 2.3.9 Key category analysis .......................................................................................................... 71 2.3.10 Attribution .......................................................................................................................... 72 2.3.11 Definition of forest ............................................................................................................ 74 2.4 Integration frameworks for estimating emission and removals .............................................. 77 2.4.1 Activity data x emission/removal factor tools ..................................................................... 81 2.4.2 Fully integrated frameworks ................................................................................................ 83 2.4.2.1 Spatially-explicit methods ................................................................................................ 88 2.4.2.2 Spatially-referenced methods ............................................................................................ 88 2.4.3 Practical considerations in choosing an integration tool ...................................................... 89 2.5 REDD+ methodological considerations ................................................................................. 92 2.5.1 Estimation methods for REDD+ activities .......................................................................... 92 2.5.1.1 Estimation of emissions from deforestation ..................................................................... 93 2.5.1.2 Estimation of emissions from degradation ..................................................................... 100 2.5.1.3 Sustainable management of forests, enhancement of forest carbon stocks (within existing forest), and conservation of forest carbon stocks .......................................................................... 105 2.5.1.4 Enhancement of forest carbon stocks (afforestation of land not previously forest, reforestation of land previously converted from forest to another land use) ..................................................... 107 2.5.2 Forest Reference Emission Levels .................................................................................... 108 2.5.2.1 Consistency with the Greenhouse Gas Inventory ........................................................... 109 2.5.2.2 Types of Forest Reference Levels .................................................................................. 111 2.5.2.3 Adjustments .................................................................................................................... 115 2.5.2.4 Uncertainties ................................................................................................................... 117 2.5.2.5 Stepwise approach and updating .................................................................................... 118 2.5.2.6 Number of reference levels per Party ............................................................................. 118 2.5.2.7 Subnational Forest Reference Levels and nesting .......................................................... 119 Chapter 3 Data Sources ........................................................................................................... 123 3.1 Remotely sensed observations .............................................................................................. 124 3.1.1 Optical data ........................................................................................................................ 125 3.1.2 Synthetic Aperture Radar 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