Airbus: Satellite Monitoring for Deforestation-Free Cocoa

Airbus Defence and Space has joined forces with chocolate and cocoa manufacturer Barry Callebaut to support the development of deforestation-free supply chains.

The partnership leverages satellite technology to provide the chocolatier with the ability to monitor its resources and help ensure environmental protection.

The collaboration could enable Barry Callebaut to maintain supply chain integrity while responding with agility to various demands that may arise.

Satellite-based deforestation monitoring

Airbus Defence and Space focuses on creating innovative solutions for its customers.

The company works towards developing sustainable aerospace solutions, with efforts directed at creating lighter, safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft.

The partnership with Barry Callebaut centres on supporting sustainable supply chains.

Barry Callebaut has made commitments to sustainable sourcing through its 'Forever Chocolate' Programme, implementing sustainable solutions across its manufacturing processes.

The collaboration uses Airbus Defence and Space's satellite-based deforestation monitoring across Barry Callebaut's entire cocoa supply chain.

 It will be using the space imagery-enabled Starling solution to monitor plantations.

“Beyond being a trusted, data-driven solution provider, Airbus is a strategic partner for Barry Callebaut in monitoring deforestation risks,” says Juliette Cody, Director for Global Sustainability Programs at Barry Callebaut.

“The insights provided by Starling have become a cornerstone of our strategy to advance our forest positive commitments.”

Through these insights, the chocolate manufacturer can gain awareness of its cocoa supply, potentially allowing it to shift strategy and plan ahead for disruption.

Enhanced supply chain visibility

Starling originated as a collaborative venture between Airbus and the Earthworm Foundation in 2016.

The geospatial solution measures environmental impact across supply chains, helping companies work towards their deforestation-free commitments.

The solution uses satellite imagery to monitor agricultural supply chains and provide data on changes to forest cover.

It offers companies accurate and actionable data to help them engage with suppliers, mitigate risks and support their own compliance efforts.

Starling provides Barry Callebaut with information on all its cocoa plots, automatically analysing supply chain data.

It produces detailed land-cover maps which can differentiate between natural forest, agroforestry, plantation and other land types, potentially reducing the number of false positive alerts.

AI-powered forest monitoring

Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space, adds: “We are pleased to support Barry Callebaut through the Starling solution, providing optical satellite imagery at various resolutions ranging from 10m to Pléiades Neo’s 30cm resolution.

"With real eyes in the sky, satellite imagery empowers organisations to make informed decisions and maintain transparency across global supply chains.”

The solution uses AI-powered algorithms to continuously monitor changes within forest cover, helping to spot emerging deforestation issues and provide conversion alerts which could breach the company's regulations or forest policy.

Starling uses high-resolution satellite imagery at the plot level, potentially meaning thorough evidence verification to reduce the need for field investigation.

The solution also conducts risk assessments to identify at-risk areas, using information from historical land use and practices.