Verification of Land-use, Land-use Change and Forestry Activities as Specified by the Kyoto-Protocol: The Role of Remote Sensing and GIS

Abstract

Every international treaty requires a solid solution on verification (Cooper, 2000). Currently for the verification of the Kyoto reports it is suggested that countries that are parties to the protocol submit baseline data and their inventory mechanisms for external review. However, only independent observations can lead to meaningful verification. Particularly Europe, with a leading role in the post-Kyoto negotiations, should further strengthen its position by establishing an autonomous European verification capacity of potential global outreach. This paper presents the key elements pertaining to a solid Scientific Verification Concept (SVC) and, based on this, further highlights the use of remote sensing and GIS for a cost-efficient, practical independent mechanism to verify Kyoto Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) activities.