News in Brief:
– FAO, Google, and other partners unveiled groundbreaking forest monitoring innovations on International Day of Forests, empowering local farmers and Indigenous Peoples globally.
– Launch of Ground application facilitates data collection in remote areas, fostering greater participation in conservation efforts and contributing to climate action.
On the International Day of Forests, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), alongside Google and other partners, announced groundbreaking advancements in forest monitoring technology.
This initiatives are aimed at curbing deforestation and forest degradation, which continue to plague countries globally.
FAO’s Deputy Director-General, Maria Helena Semedo, emphasised the pivotal role of innovation and technology in the ongoing forest data revolution. With approximately 10 million hectares lost annually due to deforestation and 70 million affected by fires, these innovations are deemed essential.
One of the key highlights of the event was the utilisation of technological innovations to empower Indigenous Peoples in safeguarding forested areas. By providing them with tools for monitoring and securing customary land rights, these advancements aim to foster greater stewardship of forests.
The United Kingdom’s substantial support, totaling $30 million, for the AIM4Forests initiative has facilitated technological scaling in 20 countries, including vital collaborations with Indigenous Peoples in Papua New Guinea. This support underscores the UK’s commitment to combating deforestation and climate change on a global scale.
Introduction of the Ground application
A significant unveiling during the event was the Ground mobile application, developed in collaboration with Google and FAO. This user-friendly tool enables non-technical users, including local farmers and Indigenous Peoples, to collect data on forested or agricultural plots even in areas with limited internet connectivity.
The Ground application holds immense promise for local farmers, allowing them to actively participate in forest monitoring efforts and enabling their involvement in regulated markets. By facilitating data collection and reporting, this tool empowers farmers to safeguard their livelihoods and contribute to conservation efforts.
The launch of Ground also marks the inauguration of a new multi-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) between FAO and Google, further deepening their collaboration in advancing technological solutions for environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The strides made in forest monitoring technology offer optimism for the future of conservation efforts. By providing transparent and reliable assessments of forest carbon fluxes, these innovations pave the way for enhanced climate actions and the potential for new forms of climate finance.
