> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/osint-tools/global-forest-watch.md).

# Global Forest Watch

| **Global Forest Watch** | **Quick Overview**                                                                                                                                     |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| URL                     | <https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/>                                                                                                               |
| What it does            | Maps and monitors global forest change using satellite data, allowing you to analyse deforestation, forest loss, land cover and environmental threats. |
| How to use it           | Search for a location, select relevant map layers, analyse forest changes over time, and export data or create reports.                                |
| Cost                    | Free.                                                                                                                                                  |
| Account required        | No (optional account available for saving projects and analysis).                                                                                      |
| Cookies                 | Essential first-party session and analytics cookies.                                                                                                   |
| Ownership               | Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) with support from partners including Google, NASA, and other environmental organisations.             |
| Use in Reporting        | Useful for environmental investigations, land-use analysis, supply-chain research, climate reporting and monitoring activities affecting forests.      |

### What does Global Forest Watch do?

Global Forest Watch is an online monitoring platform that combines satellite imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), machine-learning analysis and environmental datasets to provide near real-time information about forests worldwide. You can investigate where forests are being lost, identify areas affected by fires or land-use change, compare historical trends, and analyse environmental risks.&#x20;

**The lowdown:** The tool transforms complex satellite and environmental datasets into an accessible mapping platform.&#x20;

**Note:** It’s not a replacement for detailed satellite imagery analysis but works well as a starting point for identifying areas of interest and generating investigative leads.&#x20;

### How to Use:

**1. Search for a location, company area, country or region of interest.**

<img src="/files/sMlFX70MnDq6MhkhIdeV" alt="" height="292" width="602">

**2. Enable relevant datasets such as tree cover loss, fires, protected areas, mining activity, plantations or land-use layers.**&#x20;

<img src="/files/zWcdGxEpUTiaTek9AvP8" alt="" height="297" width="602">

**3. Analyse changes over time and cross-reference findings with satellite imagery, government records, company information and additional OSINT sources.**

### Cost

* [x] Free
* [ ] Partially Free
* [ ] Paid

## Data Processing

### Account Required:

* [ ] Yes
* [x] No

Optional account available for saving projects and analysis.

### Cookies:&#x20;

The site uses essential first-party session and analytics cookies to maintain functionality, recognise returning users and support platform performance.&#x20;

### Use in Reporting

Global Forest Watch can support reporting by:

* Providing satellite-derived evidence of forest loss and land-use change.
* Supporting investigations into illegal logging, mining expansion and agricultural development.
* Tracking environmental impacts linked to companies, governments and supply chains.
* Comparing forest conditions across different time periods.
* Providing geographic context for climate, conservation and environmental stories.
* Supporting verification of claims made by organisations regarding sustainability commitments.
* Creating maps and visual evidence for investigative reports and publications.

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="244.99993896484375"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Capabilities</strong></td><td><strong>Limitations</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Provides global forest monitoring using satellite imagery and geospatial datasets.</td><td>Satellite-derived data may contain uncertainty and require interpretation.</td></tr><tr><td>Tracks tree cover loss, forest gain, fires and land-use changes over time.</td><td>Doesn’t always provide immediate confirmation of the cause of forest loss.</td></tr><tr><td>Allows users to analyse specific locations, countries, or areas of interest.</td><td>Resolution may not be sufficient for small-scale changes or individual activities.</td></tr><tr><td>Combines environmental datasets including protected areas, mining, agriculture and infrastructure. </td><td>Historical coverage and accuracy vary depending on location and dataset.</td></tr><tr><td>Supports visualisation and export of maps and data for reporting.</td><td>Requires additional sources to attribute responsibility for environmental damage.</td></tr><tr><td>Helps identify potential environmental changes requiring further investigation.</td><td><br></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Summary

Global Forest Watch fits best within the discovery, geolocation, verification and evidence-gathering stages of the OSINT workflow, helping investigators identify locations of interest and gather supporting evidence before conducting deeper analysis using satellite imagery, official records and additional datasets.

### Ownership

Developed by the World Resources Institute ([WRI](https://www.wri.org/)) with support from partners including Google, NASA, and other environmental organisations.&#x20;

### Ethical Considerations

* Ensure satellite-derived findings are accurately interpreted before publication.
* Avoid presenting detected forest loss as proof of illegal activity without corroborating evidence.
* Consider the impact of reporting sensitive locations, particularly conservation areas or indigenous territories.
* Clearly distinguish between observed environmental change and confirmed responsibility.
* Credit data providers and acknowledge limitations of satellite analysis.
* Use environmental intelligence responsibly and avoid misleading conclusions.

### Related Tools:

* World Resources Institute
* Google Earth
* NASA Earthdata
* Sentinel Hub
* [Copernicus](/osint-tools/copernicus-browser.md)
* OpenStreetMap

#### Sources

&#x20;<https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/>&#x20;

<https://www.globalforestwatch.org/about/>&#x20;

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Forest_Watch>&#x20;

<https://www.wri.org/>&#x20;