GEO Global Forest Observations Initiative Implementation Plan Task Force Report Prof. Gary Richards Task Force Chair

GFOI Heritage GEO Forest Carbon Tracking (FCT) task established at GEO-V Plenary Bucharest (Nov 2008) to develop a coordination framework and explore the science Concept Plan for Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) accepted by GEO Plenary at GEO-VII (Beijing, Nov 2010) GEO Principals supported the establishment of a GFOI Task Force and recommended submission of an Implementation Plan for the GFOI to GEO-VIII in Istanbul (Nov 2011) 2

GFOI Mission The mission of the GEO GFOI is: –the sustained availability of satellite and ground observations in support of national forest information systems – to support countries in the use of observations in national forest information systems and reporting commitments, respecting national choices of data and tools GFOI will support long-term observation needs and will engage with other key users, notably FAO and IPCC GFOI is underpinned by a CEOS observations strategy 3

Task Force Members 4 Australia: Gary Richards (Chair) Brazil:Gilberto Camara CEOS/ESA:Stephen Briggs China:Liangyun Liu FAO:Mette Loyche Wilkie GEO SEC:Jose Achache GOFC-GOLD:Martin Herold IPCC:Simon Eggleston Japan:Toshihide Fukui Norway:Andreas Tveteraas Tanzania: Erik Mugurusi UK:Jim Penman UNFCCC:María José Sanz-Sánchez USA:Len Hirsch World Bank:Alex Lotsch

GFOI Implementation Plan Development Process Annotated TOC & Part 1 (Scope) Planning TeamTask Force Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Part 1, Part 2 (Phasing & Deliverables) Zero-order draft (governance, budget) Meeting Telcon First-order draft Meeting Comment by 22nd ExCom Agreement on TOC & Part 1 (Scope) Agreement on Part 2 (Phasing and Deliverables) Feedback on zero-order draft First-order draft for consultation Submission to GEO Plenary Zero-order draft preparation Preparation of first-order draft Consultation on first-order draft Telcon GEO Plenary Meeting Final draft Submission draft Remote drafting

Phasing of GFOI Implementation A phased approach is proposed for the implementation of the GFOI: 2011 Planning Phase 2012 Start-up Phase 2013 Commencement of Operations Operations Phase 6

The GFOI Task Force recommends that the GEO Plenary: 1.Note that the GFOI Task Force has brought forward a GFOI Implementation Plan as requested by the GEO-VII Plenary in November Accept the Task Force report entitled GFOI Implementation Plan. 3.Agree to accept contributions to the GFOI from Members and Participating Organizations for the Start-up Phase which will support dedicated staff and operating costs within the GEO Secretariat for work on the GFOI in Support the holding of the proposed GFOI Linkages Forum. 5.Request the Task Force to develop proposals for long term GFOI hosting, governance and future budgets for the GEO-IX Plenary, and to facilitate the preparation of an applications development plan and an observations acquisition strategy. 7