Satellites to help safeguard sustainability of palm oil, with launch of UK and Mexico project

Global palm oil production reached record heights in 2020, but concerns remain over its environmental, economic and social impact. As part of its commitment to promote effective climate action, the UK finances and supports local projects with global impact.

The move by FEMEXPALMA follows the UK Space Agency’s internationally renowned Forests 2020 project, run by Ecometrica, an environmental monitoring company, which has been working with Mexican institutions to improve their forest and agricultural monitoring, using satellites.

Harnessing insights from this project and mapping data from Mexico's Federal research institution El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), the FEMEXPALMA monitoring system will be deployed on Ecometrica's mapping platform and supported by in-country technicians at Frontierra.

José Luis Pérez Vázquez Aldana, Executive President of FEMEXPALMA, said: “We are firmly committed to developing a sustainable palm oil industry in Mexico, while protecting our forests and biodiversity. Working with key partners to create an effective monitoring system – underpinned by a world-leading technology platform – we believe we are in strong position to grow our industry, in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.”