Factbox: New systems detect deforestation of palm oil in real time, almost

(Reuters) – Satellite imagery has been used for years to detect deforestation in palm oil palm growing areas, but obtaining images was expensive and it often took months to reach end-users.

New systems are now being adopted by consumer goods companies and commodity traders, including Nestle, Unilever, Cargill and Wilmar.

WHICH IS NEW?

Speed ​​- new systems aim to make the process almost "real-time", although in practice it usually takes at least five days. Businesses say that it allows them to make quick decisions – sometimes cutting down links with suppliers – based on the data.

They involve more detailed basic mapping of concessions and forests with the help of environmental groups, so that companies can target areas where valuable forests are declining, rather than sending auditors by chance.

Previously, problems with government data and the reluctance of palm oil companies to specify plantation boundaries made it difficult to badess the risk of encroachment on protected forests.

HOW DO SYSTEMS WORK?

Global Forest Watch Pro uses imagery and satellite mapping to monitor forests and sends alerts to users when they make changes. It is being tested by a multitude of traders, brands and producers, including Wilmar, Cargill and Unilever, and will be launched more widely this summer.

The creators of the Starling system used by Nestle and piloted by Ferrero claim that it sends "near real-time" alerts – usually five to seven days – via its web portal whenever it detects a change in coverage. forest more important than a football field, linking it nearby. mills.

The platform combines satellite images captured every 20 minutes by Airbus, NASA and the European Space Agency, superimposed maps showing the legal boundaries of plantations, the location of suppliers and the conservation value of neighboring forests.