Towards a digital public infrastructure for deforestation-related trade regulations

What is in that plot? (Whisp) solution to implement convergence of evidence.

The publication explores the “What is in that plot?” (Whisp) solution, a digital public infrastructure designed to support deforestation-related trade regulations. Developed by the FAO and partners, Whisp uses geospatial data and risk analysis tools to aid in compliance with evolving global deforestation regulations, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation. The document highlights Whisp’s technical specifications, its role in convergence of evidence, and its application for risk assessment, particularly in smallholder contexts. It underscores collaboration to ensure sustainable trade while protecting forests.

FAO drives the development of a pre-competitive digital public infrastructure to support compliance on aspects of the trade regulations related to forest monitoring. This is a collaborative effort between partners and programmes such as European Union’s Team Europe Initiative (TEI), the Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Forests programme (AIM4Forests) and the Forest Data Partnership (FDaP) working with the AgStack Foundation. This joint effort aims to support smallholders by enabling ongoing access to regulated markets through open source solutions designed to bridge crucial digital gaps.

Publication date:
01/06/2024
Author:
Rémi D'Annunzio; Victoria O'Brien; Andrew Arnell; Till Neff; Roberto Fontanarosa; Pilar Valbuena Perez; Aurélie C. Shapiro; Alfonso Sanchez-Paus Díaz; Caroline Merle; Jonathan Vega; Julian Fox
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Link to external website:
Region:

(Lower) Kafue Catchment Ecosystem

Target group:

Farmers and community forest management groups

Key activities:
  • Support community forest management groups in the
    sustainable management of natural resources and livelihood creation
  • Support farmers to produce soy in line with the EUDR and increase productivity, and implement transparency and traceability pilots
Commodities:
Region:

Lampung, West Kalimantan, and Central Sulawesi

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, private sector, and civil society organizations along the value chains

Key activities:
  • Empowering Smallholder Farmers and Farmer Organizations by facilitating traceability and legality, building capacity on Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), and strengthening farmer organizations, ensuring inclusive support for both men and women farmers.
  • Promoting sustainable practices and collaboration by supporting village HCV/HCS conservation efforts, testing and strengthening the National Dashboard for traceability and legality, and fostering national and regional exchanges.
Commodities:
Coming soon
Coming soon
Region:

Provinces of Orellana and Sucumbíos

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, women, indigenous people and youth

Key activities:
  • Promoting Multi Stakeholder Dialogues
  • Improving traceabilty systems
Commodities:
Region:

Xingu territory, State of Pará

Target group:

Family farmers

Key activities:
  • Improve market access; value creation and access to finance
  • Integrate farmers into tracability systems
Commodities:
Global activities