AI deep learning model to monitor tree health, long-term survival and carbon sequestration; Commitment to plant and maintain up to six million trees in Kenya to support climate action, human health and community resilience. As part of its flagship AZ Forest programme, AstraZeneca has committed to planting up to six million trees.
AI deep learning model to monitor tree health, long-term survival and carbon sequestration; Commitment to plant and maintain up to six million trees in Kenya to support climate action, human health and community resilience. As part of its flagship AZ Forest programme, AstraZeneca has committed to planting 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. [1] AZ Forest Africa is part of AstraZeneca’s wider commitment to plant and maintain more than 200 million trees on six continents by 2030, in recognition of the close link between human and global 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 among the first to use an advanced AI deep learning model to analyse drone and satellite imagery to monitor tree growth and health, while quantifying carbon sequestration levels. Designed using a scientific approach and exploiting new technological innovations, the programme aims to promote the long-term health of trees, increase the biodiversity of flora and fauna and generate an economic boost for local communities.
The role that nature-based solutions can play in tackling the climate and health crisis is one of the key items on the COP28 agenda, with the climate summit focusing on the progress made since the Glasgow Declaration at COP26 to halt deforestation. [4,5] New research has highlighted the impact that reforestation and the protection of existing trees can have in the fight against climate change, potentially sequestering up to 226 gigatonnes of carbon.
Juliette White, Vice-President of Sustainable Development at AstraZeneca, said: “The link between global and human health is clear. Investing in our natural world by planting and conserving trees, and limiting deforestation, are among the most effective preventative health measures we can take. By extending AZ Forest to Kenya, we are making progress in our commitment to large-scale reforestation, with a science-based approach that benefits both the environment and local communities.
AstraZeneca is working with world-renowned experts to design and implement its AZ Forest programme, including Earthbanc and the Green Planet Initiative 2050 (GPI2050) Foundation for its project in Kenya. Native and productive tree species will improve soil health and local crop yields, while products such as leaves and honey will benefit the local agro-economy. More than 5,000 local farmers and community members will be involved in the project, which also aims to support the Kenyan government’s revolutionary reforestation ambition.
Editorial staff (with African Business and HEM)