This document introduces Whisp, an open-source solution designed to implement the convergence of evidence approach for deforestation-related trade regulations. It explains the tool’s features and implementation across different platforms. The document is intended for stakeholders involved in deforestation monitoring, supply chain due diligence, and regulatory compliance. It provides a solution for generating relevant forest monitoring information and supporting the due diligence process for the zero deforestation requirement.
Key Insights
Convergence of Evidence
The Forest Data Partnership and AIM4Forests aim to align stakeholders to reach consensus around key datasets and address critical gaps in the ever-expanding landscape of forest monitoring data. No single definitive source of geospatial data can tell the whole story around any given plot of land; rather, various existing datasets contribute to understanding what has most probably occurred at that location and support to lessen the impact of individual biases or errors present in any single piece of evidence or data source.
Asset Registry
Some regulations demand a due diligence to include “the geolocation of all plots of land where the relevant commodities… were produced” (e.g. European Union, 2023, p. 225).
The AgStack Foundation developed a minimum viable product to cover that requirement in the framework of a collaboration with the Digital Integration of Agricultural Supply Chains Alliance (DIASCA).
What is in that plot? (Whisp)
The solution, What is in that plot? (Whisp), is an open-source solution to implement the convergence of evidence approach within any plot of land to produce relevant forest monitoring information and support the due diligence process for the zero deforestation requirement.
The geospatial analysis provides insight on what various datasets suggest is contained in a given plot at the cut-off date (31 December 2020). When considered together, they provide a base for a convergence of evidence approach.
The types of datasets reported on are categorized as follows:
- forest and tree cover at the end of 2020;
- deforestation since 2020;
- crop plantations and other agricultural uses; and
- areas of significance for conservation.
Access Pathways
Three access pathways are available for Whisp - all intended to ensure reproducibility among each other.
Users can choose to either use the user interface to send a single geolD or multiple geolDs, or they can make a call to the Whisp API from their own software. The API is capable of processing lists of geolDs or geometries and can perform geospatial analysis.
Risk Analysis: Example in Cameroon, Agroforestry Cocoa
The different columns of information from Whisp can be combined into a decision tree to provide deforestation risk assessments at the plot level.
Those analytical tools could for instance be useful to the European Union state Members competent authorities to have an overview of the compliance claims.
Key Statistics & Data
- The EUDR regulation mandates that companies must demonstrate their production origin has not contributed to deforestation (p. 12).
- Operators trading certain commodities to or from the EU must present due diligence that ensures legal, deforestation-free production by the end of 2024 (p. 12).
- Whisp was tested for the cocoa, coffee, and palm sectors alongside potential partners from Ghana, Cameroon, Colombia, Kenya, and Indonesia (p. 5).
Methodology
Whisp is powered by Google Earth Engine (GEE) (p. 2). It integrates publicly available geospatial datasets to extract zonal statistics for a set of polygons (a plot of land). The geospatial analysis is presented in a tabular form where each geoID is a unit of information (p. 2). The Python code for the asset registry is open-source and available at https://github.com/agstack/asset-registry (p. 1).
Implications and Conclusions
The FAO’s development of Whisp helps drive compliance for trade regulations related to forest monitoring. The tool’s various access pathways ensures greater reproducibility among each other. This collaboration helps to bridge crucial digital gaps, promotes ongoing access to regulated markets for smallholders, and enables effective due diligence against consumer-side deforestation requirements.
Key Points
- Whisp is an open-source solution to implement the convergence of evidence approach for deforestation monitoring.
- The tool is designed to support smallholders in accessing regulated markets by bridging digital gaps.
- Whisp promotes a convergence of evidence by integrating various datasets to provide nuanced insights.
- The AgStack Foundation developed a minimum viable product to cover the geolocation requirements of regulations.
- Three access pathways are available for Whisp: an operational API, an EarthMap spinoff, and a feature in mobile apps.
- The tool facilitates risk assessments at the plot level, aiding in deforestation risk analysis.