Artificial Intelligence (AI’s)
deep learning model would be deployed to monitor tree health, long-term survival
and carbon sequestration, commitment to plant and maintain up to six million
trees in Kenya in support of climate action, human health and community
resilience.
As part of its flagship AZ
Forest programme, AstraZeneca has made a pledge to plant up to six million
trees in western Kenya. The new project, announced at COP28, builds on the
company’s recently expanded African reforestation initiatives in Ghana and
Rwanda. AZ Forest Africa is part of AstraZeneca’s broader commitment to plant
and maintain more than 200 million trees across six continents by 2030, in
recognition of the strong connection between human and planetary health.
The reforestation in Kenya
will span six counties in the west of the country, adjacent to the Rift Valley,
covering more than 3,500 hectares of land. The project will be amongst the
first to use an advanced AI deep learning model to analyse drone footage and
satellite imagery to monitor tree growth and health, while also quantifying levels
of carbon sequestration.
Designed using a science-based
approach and harnessing new technological innovations, the programme aims to
promote long-term tree health, increase biodiversity of flora and fauna, and
generate an economic boost for local communities.
The role nature-based
solutions can play in addressing the climate-health crisis is a top agenda item
at COP28, with the climate summit placing a focus on the progress made since
the Glasgow Declaration of COP26 to end deforestation. New research has
underlined the impact that reforestation and the protection of existing trees
can have in tackling climate change, potentially sequestering up to 226
gigatonnes of carbon.
Vice President Global
Sustainability, AstraZeneca, Juliette White, said: “The link between planetary
and human health is clear. Investing in our natural world through tree planting
and conservation, and limiting deforestation, are some of the most effective
preventative health steps we can take. By expanding AZ Forest to Kenya, we are
progressing our commitment to deliver reforestation at scale, with a
science-led approach that benefits both the environment and local communities.”
AstraZeneca is working with
world-leading experts to design and deliver its AZ Forest programme including
with Earthbanc and the Green Planet Initiative 2050 Foundation (GPI2050) for
its Kenya project. Indigenous and productive tree species will improve soil
health and local crop yields, while produce including leaves and honey will
benefit the local agroeconomy. More than 5,000 local farmers and local
community members will be engaged in the project, which also aims to support a
groundbreaking reforestation ambition from the Kenyan government.
Her Excellency Rachel Ruto
First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, said: “Climate change affects us all and
tackling it requires concerted action from governments, individuals, and
business.
“We welcome AstraZeneca’s
approach to reforestation: working with local communities to ensure economic
benefits for people that match the positive impact on the planet. This
initiative will contribute towards Kenya’s goal to plant 15 billion trees over
the next decade.”
CEO, Earthbanc, Tom Duncan, said:
“This land regeneration project in Kenya is a very exciting opportunity that we
are pleased to support in collaboration with our partners. Earthbanc is
committed to bringing private sector climate finance to accelerate and scale
reforestation to meet the challenge of climate change. The AZ Forest initiative
brings significant co-benefits with its focus on circular bioeconomy,
sustainable communities, ecosystem health and sustainable markets. We are
looking forward to this project launch and demonstrating that we can all play a
part in the global effort towards planetary regeneration.”
Aside from Kenya, AZ Forest’s
global programme which aims to span 100,000 hectares worldwide continues apace.
In Ghana, almost three million trees have been planted this year taking the
total to over four million since the project began in 2021. The project has
engaged 1,200 farmers across 23 communities. While in Rwanda, 6,000 farming
households are signed up to the project, with 16 community nurseries
established to grow a range of indigenous and fruit tree species. Planting is
set to start in the coming months with a target to plant around 5.8 million
trees across 21,000 hectares, in what is one of the largest forest restoration
initiatives in Rwanda.
Leave Comments