Digital Platform to Tackle Illegal Deforestation in Supply Chains Takes Shape

UK-based start-up iov42 and Singapore-based Double Helix Tracking Technologies (DoubleHelix) announced they are starting to create and test a new digital “Due Diligence Management Platform”, co-funded by Innovate UK and Enterprise Singapore.

The aim of the blockchain platform is to help tackle deforestation in the sourcing and supply chains of commodities, including timber, pulp, paper, beef, cocoa, palm oil, leather, rubber and soya.

Using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), the new platform intends to help organisations importing into the UK to comply with the due diligence requirements set by the UK Environment Act 2021.

This ground-breaking environmental legislation aims to establish clear statutory targets for the recovery of the natural world in four priority areas: air quality, biodiversity, water and waste.

What is being developed by iov42 and DoubleHelix will specifically target Schedule 17 of the UK Environment Act, relating to the “Use of Forest Risk Commodities in Commercial Activity”.

Similar legislation to the UK’s will apply to organisations wanting to import into Europe under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the United States of America under the proposed US FOREST Act.

By combining iov42’s pioneering technology - an evolution of blockchain - along with DoubleHelix’s science-based supply chain verification processes, the companies will design, develop and test a digital “Due Diligence Management Platform” (DDMP), creating a shared, secure, and decentralised system that serves all impacted commodities and makes due diligence frictionless. The DDMP will also interact with other data sets and technologies such as geospatial imagery and additional science-based testing methodologies.

Darren Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO at DoubleHelix said: “We have for some years offered a unique combination of on-the-ground expertise, global network, and extensive track-record of innovation in supply chain due diligence.

“Our engagement with iov42 takes us to a new level, harnessing DLT to deliver a solution that works across multiple forest-risk commodities. We invite those involved in sourcing for, trading in, and supplying these various commodities to join our trials and ensure their industry requirements are met.” 

#deforestation #blockchain