Forests play an important role in the global carbon cycle, influencing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere – and therefore climate change. By measuring the amount and change in the carbon-rich biomass contained in tree trunks and branches, satellites provide valuable insights into how these ecosystems are changing.

ESA’s Climate Change Initiative Biomass project has merged observations from multiple satellites to provide annual global maps of above-ground biomass between 2007–2022. These insights are vital for modelling the carbon cycle, guiding forest management, and supporting national greenhouse-gas reporting.