EU Publishes Updated Global Forest Observatory Map for EU Deforestation Regulation

Last week, amidst continued negotiations over the EU Deforestation Regulation, the EU published an updated version of its Global Forest Observatory Map. This version includes some key improvements  including a preliminary mapping of forest types according to the EUDR definitions of ‘naturally regenerating forest’, ‘primary forest’ and ‘planted / plantation forest’. Here’s what you need to know about the updated Global Forest Observatory Map: 

According to the Commission, the global map of forest cover was “created by combining available global datasets on tree cover, tree height, land cover and land use into a single harmonized globally-consistent representation of where forests existed in 2020.” The workflow consists in first mapping the global maximum extent of tree cover circa the year 2020 from the combination of ESA World Cover 2020 and 2021, WRI Tropical Tree Cover 2020, UMD Global land cover and land use 2019, Global Mangrove Watch 2020 and JRC Tropical Moist Forest 2020 datasets. In a second step, a series of overlays and decision rules are applied to reduce this maximum extent of tree cover and align it with the Forest Definitions using datasets covering cropland and commodity expansion, land use change, built-up land and water.

The Commission will publish a second technical report - which will replace the previously published technical report -  describing the mapping approach, methodology, input layers, expert feedback, limitations and definitions in the coming months. 

Sourcemap’s approach

Sourcemap is the only integrated end-to-end solution for EUDR compliance that collects, validates and screens farm and forests for deforestation within a single automated platform. Sourcemap uses the  EU Global Forest Observatory as part of a suite of high-fidelity deforestation data, and performs screening automatically using the only cloud-based geo-data assessment service capable of screening the entire map for a shipment within minutes. 

To learn more about how Sourcemap can help your company comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation, or to speak with our in-house policy and GIS experts, reach out to our team.