TFFF Watch is currently in its public Beta phase. We welcome all feedback before we release the full version. Have you noticed errors in our results or methodology? Or do you have an idea how we could improve upon TFFF Watch?
TFFF Watch is a project by Plant-for-the-Planet. Please contact us if you’re interested in contributing.
A conservative assessment
The WRI’s Global Forest Watch forest classification tends to come to higher deforestation and degradation assessments than its main alternative EU’s Joint Research Center classification. By using the former as the basis for our model, we have choosen to opt for the stricter option which disqualifies more countries and results in lower payouts: Better to underestimate than overestimate payouts.
Under the TFFF rules, countries will publish their own assessments based on which their payouts are calculated. While these will have to follow certain TFFF standards, countries will likely choose more permissive models and lead to higher payouts.
Deforestation and degradation areas are highly sensitive to small changes in methodology. Since the monitoring rules as set out in Concept Note 3.0 do not specify data sources or lack key details, we needed to make certain assumptions (see methodology section) for this model. The methodology has not (yet) been peer-reviewed. We intend to update our model as more information becomes available.
The TFFF Watch is a satellite-based monitoring system designed to track forest changes as defined by the TFFF rules and support performance-based payment mechanisms. By integrating high-resolution satellite data and scientifically established methodologies, the system ensures accurate, transparent, and consistent evaluation of forest conservation outcomes across tropical and subtropical regions.
Baseline Forest CalculationsTo establish the forest baseline, the system first identifies tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests for inclusion using the Ecoregion-Based Approach dataset (Dinerstein et al., 2017). Within these zones, the Hansen/Global Forest Watch dataset (Hansen et al., 2013) is used to calculate the remaining forest cover as of the previous year. The baseline is established by subtracting areas of tree cover loss recorded annually from 2000 onwards and adding areas of forest gain observed between 2000 and 2012. This results in a dynamic, annually updated map of remaining forest cover, which serves as the reference area for the base payouts and subsequent deforestation and degradation assessments.
Deforestation MonitoringNew deforestation events are identified annually using updated Hansen/Global Forest Watch data. These are areas of tree cover loss that occur within the forest baseline in the current reporting year. In addition, deforestation rates from the previous year are calculated to determine a country’s eligibility for TFFF payments, in accordance with predefined thresholds and criteria. This ensures that payments are made only to countries that meet or exceed performance expectations in limiting deforestation.
Degradation AssessmentForest degradation is assessed using the Global Forest Watch fire-related forest loss dataset (Tyukavina et al., 2022). This dataset builds on the Hansen et al. (2013) global 30m forest cover loss map for 2001–2019, extended through 2024. The data disaggregate annual forest loss into fire-related and non-fire drivers, with uncertainty accounted for through confidence codes.
For degradation monitoring, the system overlays this dataset with the annually updated forest baseline to ensure that only remaining forest areas are considered. Annual country-level statistics on fire-related forest loss are then derived, providing the basis for calculating degradation impacts. These results feed directly into TFFF’s performance assessments and contribute to payment adjustments for the reporting year.
FeedbackWe are continuing to refine our methodology and would welcome any feedback at tushar.bharadwaj@plant-for-the-planet.org.
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