A new application using artificial intelligence (AI) will support garment and textile factories reduce their potential contribution to deforestation. This is an exciting collaboration on innovative technology development between H&M Group and WWF in Cambodia.
The project: The WoodAI App can quickly identify wood species and can further support garment factories in tackling the lack ofinformation around biomass sourcing.
- The app enables wood species to be identified using only a smartphone and a macro lens, at the factory gate, helping factories to verify that the wood they source for power generation is from H&M Group approved residues of plantation species like mango and cashew, which are less likely to contribute to deforestation.
The significance: Providing factories with the technology to make better decisions is an active step to contribute to reducing the pressures on forests, to protecting the rich biodiversity and to stabilising the global climate.
- This is particularly key for the fashion sector – where the energy used in producing clothing is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
- This energy is used in processes such as washing and ironing of clothing, and has traditionally come from coal, gas and biomass such as wood.
- When used in combination with other additional solutions the WoodAI app can provide an important resource to support the efforts needed in Cambodia to responsibly manage plantations and forests.
What they said:
WWF’s mission in Cambodia is to conserve the country’s rich biological diversity. The forests of Cambodia remain relatively contiguous and contain a large diversity of threatened species. Therefore, we look out for new and innovative technology like this WoodAI app, as it can play a role in helping to address some of the pressures threating our natural forests.
— Seng Teak
Country Director
WWF-Cambodia
It is exciting to pilot this new technology in Cambodia and find new ways to work with suppliers that can help reduce negative impacts on Cambodia’s natural forests.
— Christer Horn af Aminne
Country Manager, cambodia
H&M Group
