Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, plus the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) is an essential part of the global efforts to mitigate climate change. Vanuatu is currently completing the REDD+ readiness phase. The aim is to have a forest reference level and a national forest monitoring system that enables the quantification of emission reductions within the forest sector so that Vanuatu is ready to receive results-based REDD+ payments. This also requires a national forest inventory and analysis of changes in forest cover through satellite images. UNIQUE was commissioned to support the achievement of this aim, and at the same time transfer skills and knowledge to the local stakeholders for the sustainable establishment of REDD+ in the country.

• Conduct a national forest inventory.
• Analysis of remote-sensing data to produce activity data related to forest and land use changes.
• Design of a National Forest Monitoring Systems.
• Establishment of a database management and information system.
• Elaboration of a capacity development plan.