Comment article published in Nature NPJ Climate Action: “Earth Observation as Enabler for Implementing the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products” by Katja Berger (GFZ Potsdam), Martin Herold (GFZ Potsdam) and Zoltan Szantoi (ESA, Stellenbosch University).
Read the full article here:
Earth observation as enabler for implementing the EU regulation on deforestation-free products
Earth observation (EO) data play a pivotal role in ensuring the transparency and effectiveness of the EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR). As outlined in our article, EO provides independent, verifiable, and globally consistent information, essential for monitoring land use, verifying compliance across complex supply chains, and supporting climate change mitigation efforts.
We further discuss loopholes of the EUDR and how both current and upcoming EO missions offer tools for a multi-sensor European monitoring system for all stakeholders. The data enable policy makers, businesses, and authorities to independently assess environmental impacts and verify compliance robustly. We also argue for mandating EO data and tools to maximize the EUDR’s effectiveness and efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- EO data are critical for transparent EUDR monitoring and compliance verification.
- ESA / Copernicus (and other) satellite missions provide open, high-frequency, and long-term data coverage.
- EO supports all stakeholders by delivering independent evidence of land use and commodity origins.
- Mandating EO in EUDR workflows will ensure effective climate and environmental governance.
