AstraZeneca has announced the expansion of its flagship AZ Forest program to Kenya. The company pledges to plant up to six million trees across six counties in western Kenya, covering over 3,500 hectares of land.
This ambitious reforestation project marks the first time that AZ Forest has deployed an AI deep learning model to monitor tree health, long-term survival, and carbon sequestration. The AI model will analyze drone footage and satellite imagery to provide insights into the effectiveness of the tree planting efforts.
Designed with a science-based approach, the AZ Forest program in Kenya aims to achieve multiple benefits, including:
- Promoting long-term tree health and biodiversity
- Increasing carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change
- Generating an economic boost for local communities through the planting and harvesting of trees
The role of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change is gaining increasing attention, with the upcoming COP28 climate summit focusing on progress made since COP26 to end deforestation. Reforestation and forest conservation have been recognized as effective strategies for tackling climate change, with the potential to sequester up to 226 gigatonnes of carbon.
“The link between planetary and human health is clear,” stated Juliette White, Vice President of Global Sustainability at AstraZeneca. “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.”
AstraZeneca is collaborating with world-leading experts, including Earthbanc and the Green Planet Initiative 2050 Foundation (GPI2050), to design and deliver the AZ Forest program in Kenya. The project will prioritize the planting of indigenous and productive tree species, which will not only improve soil health and local crop yields but also provide products such as leaves and honey that can benefit the local agroeconomy.
More than 5,000 local farmers and community members will be involved in the project, which also aligns with the Kenyan government’s ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees over the next decade.
“Climate change affects us all, and tackling it requires concerted action from governments, individuals, and businesses,” said Her Excellency Rachel Ruto, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya. “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.”
Tom Duncan, CEO of Earthbanc, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “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 program in Kenya is part of AstraZeneca’s broader global initiative to plant 100,000 hectares of trees worldwide. The company has already made significant progress in other African countries, including Ghana and Rwanda.
In Ghana, almost three million trees have been planted this year, bringing the total number of trees planted since the project began in 2021 to over four million. The project has engaged 1,200 farmers across 23 communities.
In Rwanda, 6,000 farming households have signed up for the AZ Forest program, and 16 community nurseries have been established to grow a range of indigenous and fruit tree species. Planting is set to begin in the coming months, with a target to plant around 5.8 million trees across 21,000 hectares. This project is expected to be one of the largest forest restoration initiatives in Rwanda.
AstraZeneca’s commitment to reforestation and its utilization of AI technology to monitor tree health demonstrate the company’s dedication to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. The AZ Forest program has the potential to make a significant impact on local communities, biodiversity, and the global climate
