Earth to support UKSA and INAB in preventing illegal logging

January 2017, Guatemala, Guatemala City: Earth partners with the United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA), Guatemala’s National Institute of Forestry (INAB) and the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) to implement a system of Forestry Management and Protection (FMAP). The main objective is to reduce the causes of deforestation in the regions of Peten, Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz by using cutting edge technology such as satellite remote sensing and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The project will monitor Guatemala’s forests from space with software installed in mobile phones or tablets.

According to WWF, Illegal logging and related trade occurs when timber is harvested, transported, processed, bought or sold in violation of national or sub-national laws. It can also happen when forests are cleared for plantations such as oil palm. It strips the economic livelihood of local communities and responsible companies through lost revenue that may have been generated from the legal logging of forests.

The World Bank states that the annual global market loses $10 billion annually from illegal logging, with governments losing an additional US$5 billion in revenues.

As part of this partnership Earth will assist in upgrading and improving the existing traceability systems through the addition of space-based data and GNSS mobile applications to support better forestry management, enforce prosecutions and reduce fraud. Earth will also assist in increasing the efficiency, impact and scalability of the forestry incentive programs by reducing the costs of monitoring and land-use verification in the current systems.

Andrew Dudley, Founder and CEO says:

“We’re very proud to join Nia Tero in tackling this global problem, and look forward to sharing the results of this exciting initiative and expanding beyond the Pacific region.”

About the United kingdom Space agency

The United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for the United Kingdom's civil space programme. Through its International Partnership Programme (IPP), which was established as a five-year programme in 2016, it seeks to utilise its UK expertise in satellite technology and data services to help tackle development challenges.

About Earth

Earth is a public benefit corporation (PBC) working to develop technology and strategic partnerships for the protection of forests, oceans, biodiversity and human rights. Utilizing the latest in smartphone and satellite technology, the Earth platform supports indigenous communities, smallholder farmers and artisanal fisherfolk working on the frontlines of conservation, deploying advanced technology to help maintain healthy forests and oceans as a frontline defence against climate change.