The global map of forest cover (GFC 2020) was created by combining available global datasets (wall-to-wall or global in their scope) on tree cover, tree height, land cover and land use into a single harmonized globally-consistent representation of where forests existed in 2020.
In a first step, the workflow identifies the maximum potential extent of forest cover circa 2020 by integrating global tree- and mangrove cover data for the year 2020 (e.g. Copernicus global land cover map). In addition, this delineation uses historical time-series of tree cover, loss and tree height dynamics to identify areas of potentially unstocked forest due to e.g., natural disturbances or forest management practices. In a second step, this maximum potential forest extent is intersected with various other data layers on tree height, deforestation, cropland, agroforestry, and other land uses. The application of a series of complex Boolean decision rules excludes areas that are not forest according to the definition of the FAO-FRA and EUDR.
The global input layers, mapping approach, and accuracy of GFC 2020 version 4 will be described in a separate technical report, expected to be released by December 2026. The mapping approach of version 1, 2 and 3 are described in (Bourgoin et al 2024), 2025 and 2026 respectively. Colditz et al. (2025) describe the accuracy assessment protocol and results for GFC 2020 version 2. The global input layers, mapping approach, and accuracy of GFC 2020 version 4 will be described in a separate technical report expected to be released by December 2026. Comparative studies between GFC 2020 and national maps were carried out over Ivory Coast (Verhegghen et al, 2024) and Thailand (Khiripet et al, 2026). A user guide explains how to visualize and interact with GFC2020 to support the EUDR risk assessment (Simonetti et al. 2025). The GFC 2020 map may be revised if new information, additional large-scale data layers or revised global spatial data layers will be made available for year 2020.
Soon available...
The global forest cover map of 2020 version 4 is available for download by 10°x10° tiles. The tiling starts at 180°W and 80°N with tile ID "N80" and "W180", respectively. Tiles over the ocean are not provided. The file format is GEOTIFF.
The naming convention is as follows JRC_GFC2020V4[lat]_[lon].tif, where:
Map coordinates are in latitude and longitude, referenced to the WGS84 datum.
The previous versions of the global forest cover map of 2020 are available here:
Click on the tile in the image below to start the download.
Each of the downloadable files can be displayed in desktop GIS tools. The table below contains symbology files to display the colourmap and labels for the values in QGIS and ArcGIS.
| Dataset | QGIS | ArcGIS |
|---|---|---|
| Global forest cover map 2020, Version 4 | JRC_GFC2020_V4.qml | JRC_GFC2020_V4.lyr |
The files for download are geolocated (latitude and longitude with WGS84 datum) but do not contain any metadata information. Please right-click in the table below to download the metadata file.
| Dataset | ISO 19139 Metadata file |
|---|---|
| Global forest cover map 2020, Version 4 | JRC_GFC2020_V4.xml |
Interactive visualization of the global forest cover map along with frequently asked questions and other information can be found at the EU Observatory on deforestation and forest degradation website.
The global forest cover map of 2020 can also be viewed in other websites or GIS clients as WMS (Web Map Service). They are not suitable for analysis as the data are represented only as RGB images. The WMS URL is: https://ies-ows.jrc.ec.europa.eu/iforce/gfc2020/wms.py?
Note: link will not open correctly in a web browser. For guidance on adding WMS services to a GIS software, see this report
The Global forest cover map 2020 (Version 4) can also be accessed and used in the Google Earth Engine platform: https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/datasets/catalog/JRC_GFC2020_V4
The Global Forest Cover Map 2020 (Version 4) is also available for download as a single global mosaic in TIFF format from the Big Data Analytics Platform: https://jeodpp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ftp/jrc-opendata/FOREST/GFC2020/LATEST/
Note: This is a service for advanced users. The file is large (circa 50-GB compressed TIFF) and intended for global-scale forest studies. Users should be in possession of specialized software to read and analyse large data volumes. The JRC will not provide further support or advice.
All data here are produced under studies funded by the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission through the Dev-ForObs project. All data are provided free-of-charge, without restriction of use. For the full license information see the Copernicus Regulation of the European Commission.
Publications, models and data products that make use of this dataset must include proper acknowledgement, including citing dataset as in the following citation:
Bourgoin, Clement; Achard, Frederic; Beuchle, Rene; Carboni, Silvia; Carreiras, Joao; Marinelli, Daniele; Rotllan-Puig, Xavier; Simonetti, Dario; Colditz, Rene (2026): Global map of forest cover 2020 - version 4. European Commission, Joint Research Centre [Dataset] doi: 10.2905/JRC.3KATEH8 PID: http://data.europa.eu/89h/cf7c49ea-8f00-4c5a-bd40-6f25dc341580
The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the European Union concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
