In a bold move towards sustainability, Airbus Defence and Space has teamed up with Barry Callebaut, a leading chocolate manufacturer, to tackle deforestation in their cocoa supply chain. This partnership, announced in Toulouse, France, on December 9, 2025, utilizes satellite technology to monitor and mitigate environmental risks, showcasing a commitment to a greener future.
Barry Callebaut, known for its 'Forever Chocolate' program, has made significant strides in sustainable sourcing. By integrating Airbus' Starling solution, they aim to proactively address environmental concerns within and around cocoa farms. Starling's automated analysis provides valuable insights, helping Barry Callebaut maintain transparency and compliance with its internal controls.
"Airbus is more than just a data-driven partner; they are a strategic ally in our journey towards deforestation-free operations," said Juliette Cody, Director for Global Sustainability Programs at Barry Callebaut. "The intelligence from Starling is integral to our forest-positive commitments."
Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space, emphasized the power of satellite imagery: "With Starling, we offer optical satellite data at various resolutions, from 10m to the impressive 30cm resolution of Pléiades Neo. This real-time, high-resolution imagery empowers organizations to make informed decisions and maintain supply chain integrity."
Starling's capabilities go beyond simple monitoring. It produces detailed land-cover maps, differentiating between natural forests, plantations, and agroforestry, thus reducing false alerts. AI algorithms continuously track forest cover changes, alerting Barry Callebaut to any potential deforestation or conversion risks. Additionally, Starling provides evidence verification at the plot level, reducing the need for extensive field investigations and fostering open discussions with suppliers and buyers.
But here's where it gets controversial: Starling also conducts risk assessments, identifying areas vulnerable to future deforestation based on historical land use. This proactive approach could spark debates on the balance between development and conservation.
"By using Starling, we gain reliable insights to engage our suppliers and effectively meet our sustainability goals," said Barry Callebaut.
Starling, a collaboration between Airbus and Earthworm Foundation, launched in 2016, is a geospatial solution designed to measure and mitigate environmental impact across entire supply chains. It combines high-resolution satellite data with open-source Sentinel imagery, offering a comprehensive view of vegetation cover changes worldwide.
As Barry Callebaut and Airbus continue their partnership, they set an example for the industry, showing that sustainability and business can go hand in hand. But what are your thoughts? Is this a step towards a greener future, or does it raise concerns about the balance between conservation and development? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments below!
