Satellite images are available that are so detailed that one can see if a single tree has been cut down. However, such images are very expensive, and only a few private stakeholders have access to them. Through Norway\u2019s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI)<\/a>, the Government of Norway is now making the images accessible and free for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The high-resolution satellite images provide an overview of all the tropical forests around the world, and these images will be updated every month. Users can access image archives that include data dating back to 2015. This allows users to see the development that has taken place in the forests over several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSmall communities can now be seen and heard in their struggle with companies that steal their rightful territories. The world\u2019s supermarkets can monitor claims made by their suppliers regarding the sustainable production of soy, palm oil and other raw materials\u201d, says Rotevatn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The images will be free of charge. Anyone around the world can detect deforestation occurring in very small areas, whether it be authorities, companies buying raw materials associated with deforestation, investors, journalists, scientists, indigenous organizations or NGOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not least, information from satellite images is important for indigenous organizations. The indigenous leader Ianukul\u00e1 Kaiabi Sui\u00e1, from the Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Terra Ind\u00edgena do Xingu<\/em> (ATIX), has high expectations for the new satellite images. He represents the indigenous territory of S\u00e3o F\u00e9lix do Xingu in Brazil, one of the most vulnerable areas in the Amazon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSatellite image is a powerful tool since it is better understood by indigenous communities compared to data sources from numbers. These images will give the communities a better understanding of the problems\u2019 location and dimension, so that their actions can be better planned\u201d, says Ianukul\u00e1 Kaiabi Sui\u00e1<\/p>\n\n\n\n Colombia\u2019s Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Ricardo Jos\u00e9 Lozano Pic\u00f3n, points out that Colombia over the last years has developed an advanced monitoring system, but that a bottleneck has been that high-resolution satellite images are very expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith Norway\u2019s new investment in free available, high resolution satellite imagery, Colombia will continue to get access to frequent and detailed satellite observations. This will improve the monitoring and management of our valuable forests\u201d, says Lozano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Norway\u2019s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI)<\/a> has supported satellite-based rainforest monitoring for many years, including through a collaboration with Google <\/em>and the World Resources Institute <\/em>called Global Forest Watch<\/a>. This project uses satellite data to detect forest changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Norway also supports SEPAL<\/a>, an analysis tool developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations\u201d<\/a>, that helps forested countries gain an overview of deforestation and land use. Both services will be strengthened by this procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have already made important progress in providing open and accessible information about where and why deforestation is occurring. This technology is used by journalists, organizations and individuals around the world, and helps save important forests and nature. Now we are taking it one step further. The fight to combat deforestation and forest crime is more important than ever before\u201d, says Rotevatn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Norway pays several tropical forest countries, including Indonesia and Colombia, to reduce emissions caused by deforestation. Better images reduce the uncertainties associated with the estimates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The procurement is the result of a comprehensive competitive procurement process led by the Ministry of Climate and Environment<\/a> through the climate and forest initiative. The contract will be entered into with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT)<\/a>, including the subcontractors Airbus<\/a> and Planet.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013 KSAT and its partners Planet<\/a> and Airbus delivered the offer with the highest quality, where the world gets a lot of data for our money. This includes both historical data showing what has happened in the past, and frequently updated data over the coming years. The offered licensing terms are particularly good in this bid. It allows everyone to access high-resolution satellite data, without restrictions on use and distribution, says Andreas Dahl-J\u00f8rgensen, Managing Director of NICFI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n # # #<\/p>\n\n\n\n NICFI Communications Contact: KSAT Communications Contact: Planet Communications Contact: Airbus Communications Contact:Powerful tool for indigenous people.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Technology is saving rainforests.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Comprehensive competitive procurement.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nicfi.no\/files\/2020\/01\/Landsat-from-space.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Gunhild Oland Santos-Nedrelid
gsn@kld.dep.no
+ 47 95164906<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Nina Soleng
nina@ksat.no<\/a>
+47 906 69 565<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Claire Bentley Dale
clairebentley@planet.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Fabienne Grazzini
fabienne.grazzini@airbus.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n