Norway and FAO scale up forest monitoring

Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) will provide 90 million Norwegian kroner (approximately $9.5 million) to support the third phase of FAO’s System for Earth Observation Data Access, Processing and Analysis for Land Monitoring (SEPAL) through to December 2030.

The SEPAL platform provides instant access to Earth observation data and advanced processing tools, enabling countries to detect change, track deforestation and support restoration efforts.

Phase 3 will focus on delivering next-generation geospatial solutions, helping countries to meet climate reporting requirements while building the skills, tools and systems needed to monitor forests independently.

Open data

“As artificial intelligence accelerates, open and transparent data tools are becoming even more essential for forest countries. SEPAL strengthens governments’ capacity to lead their own monitoring, and to make informed decisions for their forests for the benefit of their citizens, and for all of us” said Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Minister of Climate and Environment, Norway.

Climate reporting requirements

“Countries need reliable, accessible and transparent forest data to manage their forests sustainably, meet climate reporting requirements and access science-based finance,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. “This new funding will strengthen national forest monitoring systems and accelerate the use of innovative technologies, turning data into better decisions for the climate change and for sustainable development.”

One forest monitoring ecosystem

Norway’s support for SEPAL is aligned with the Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Forests (AIM4Forests) programme, and together they will expand technical assistance for forest monitoring.

Source: FAO News and Media, 24/06/2026

Photo: ©FAO/Guillermo Carlos