GAF AG to lead ESA-funded WorldForest project on forest sustainability

GAF AG has won a competitive international tender to implement the WorldForest project. The project is funded by ESA under the Earth Observation Science for Society (EO4Society) element of the FutureEO-1 Segment-2 Programme (2023–2025) Applications Element. This reinforces ESA’s commitment to advancing Earth observation applications for societal benefit. GAF AG is part of e-GEOS (Telespazio/ASI).

The WorldForest project will be implemented by a highly qualified consortium comprising GAF AG, VITO, DHI, GFZ, NMBU and Caribou Digital, each of which brings specialized expertise that addresses the project’s ambitious goals. Together, this consortium will integrate complementary strengths to deliver cutting-edge solutions for adaptive and sustainable forest management.

From satellite data to actionable insights

WorldForest aims to develop innovative methodologies and digital tools to support adaptive and sustainable forest management. The project addresses the requirements of the new EU Forest Strategy, related EU regulations and international frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (notably SDG 15: Life on Land), the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use.

As the European Space Agency’s prime contractor for the WorldForest project, GAF AG will take the lead in developing and implementing innovative Earth observation-based solutions. By transforming satellite data into actionable insights, the project aims to support decision-makers, scientists and forest managers in their efforts to better understand and manage forest ecosystems.

Real-world needs 

WorldForest is designed to deliver advanced methodologies for monitoring, assessing and reporting on forests. It will also provide concrete support for adaptive and sustainable forest management, aligned with both EU and international policy goals. A key element of the project is close engagement with a wide range of stakeholders – including UN organizations, EU institutions and national agencies – to ensure that the tools and services developed respond directly to real-world needs and have maximum impact.

The project will result in pre-commercial digital tools and services, ready to be integrated into the growing digital platform economy. These tools will be developed through a comprehensive process that includes user engagement, data collection and processing, algorithm and tool development, large-scale production and validation, use case demonstrations, and focused outreach and communication activities.

Through these efforts, WorldForest will enhance the global capacity to monitor forest health, assess ecosystem conditions, and implement evidence-based strategies for sustainable forest management. GAF AG extends its sincere thanks to all partners and stakeholders involved in the competitive bidding process and looks forward to working together on this flagship initiative – contributing to climate action and the preservation of biodiversity.