Satellite pictures available for sustainable forest management

 

In December 2009, a partnership was established between AFD (French Development Agency) and Astrium. It aims to provide Congo Basin countries with SPOT satellite images acquired between 2010 and 2015 as well as access to all SPOT image archives. The programme coordinated by an IGN France International-led consortium, is part of the process of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD +).

 

AFD makes satellite images available to NGOs, administrations, councils ...

 

Satellite images have long been used by professionals of the forestry sector as a decision-making tool for forest planning and management,forest  inventories and mapping.

 

To date, five countries have signed the "National Authority" licenses allowing them to make  images available to project applicants on their territory:

 

♦ Central African Republic

♦  the Democratic Republic of Congo

♦  Congo

♦  Cameroon

♦ Gabon

 

The formal commitment made by these countries makes it possible for administrations, public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and broadly, all entities involved to use images and the attendant value added services in sustainable forest management in Central Africa.

 

Any project related to sustainable forest management can be eligible for satellite images

 

 

Any project dealing with reducing emissions from deforestation or forest degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable forest management and enhancing forest carbon stocks may be submitted.

 

A review committee considers each project and once approved, provides access to data through the dedicated portal in place or directly through the national authority of the beneficiary country.

 

For more sustainable management of the world's second largest forest basin

 

The AFD-funded programme faces immense challenges given that the Congo Basin forests account for 22% of global forest cover and harbour carbon stocks in excess of 56 gigatonnes. Sustainably managing these forests, in addition to their crucial importance in combating climate change, offers significant economic prospects for the development of the timber industry in Central African countries.

 

 

 

For more information on the project, conditions of access to images, the list of focal points: http://bassinducongo.reddspot.org

 

Please  find attached the following documents:

 

♦  press release

♦  brochure

♦  visual material (2)

 

 

For more Information, Aude ARESTE LAMENDOUR
Marketing and communications officer
IGN France International
Skype : aude.lamendour
 - Tel : +33 1 42 34 56 56 - +33 6 81 76 91 23