REDDAF – Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Africa

2011–2013 | Pre-operational forest monitoring & carbon accounting systems | Cameroon & Central African Republic

Implemented under the European Commission in partnership with European and African geospatial and research institutions

The REDDAF project supported the development of pre-operational national forest monitoring services in Cameroon and the Central African Republic. The initiative combined advanced Earth Observation technologies with in-situ field data to improve forest cover mapping, degradation detection, biomass estimation, and carbon stock assessment in preparation for REDD+ implementation.

The project analyzed historical forest cover changes (1990–2000 and 2000–2009/10) to establish national reference baselines and developed standardized processing chains for deforestation and degradation monitoring. REDDAF contributed to strengthening institutional capacity and delivering IPCC-compliant land-use classifications and digital datasets necessary for national REDD readiness.

Key Contributions & Impact

• Conducted stakeholder analysis to define national user requirements for REDD implementation
• Developed carbon stock accounting methodologies combining Earth Observation and field data
• Mapped historical forest cover and land-use change to establish national reference baselines

• Designed standardized processing chains for deforestation and degradation monitoring
• Delivered forest cover, forest change, degradation, and biomass maps
• Produced IPCC-compliant land-use classification datasets
• Strengthened national institutional capacity through technology transfer and targeted training
• Established foundations for sustainable national forest monitoring systems

Project Coordinator: Dr. René Siwe Ngamabou