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Starling is a satellite monitoring solution built to tackle deforestation on the ground.
Since 2016, Starling—a partnership between Airbus and Earthworm Foundation—has helped companies see and understand what’s happening in their forest landscapes. Starling combines high-resolution satellite images, such as those from Airbus’ own constellation, with Earthworm’s supply chain knowledge and on-the-ground experience to transform raw data into useful, actionable insight.
Users can detect and track deforestation and land-use change (including forest), trace commodities to mills and plantations, and receive near-real-time deforestation alerts. Earthworm helps interpret this data and link it to supplier engagement on the ground.
With over 1.3 million images analysed, Starling supports organisations in 40+ countries with sustainable sourcing, meeting no-deforestation and net-zero commitments, and compliance with legislation such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR, and prepares for regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Starling brings together technology and local insight, turning supply chain uncertainty into clarity and clarity into action.
Forests are under pressure — cleared for raw materials, degraded by poor land-use decisions, and monitored too slowly to stop the damage.
Agriculture and livestock remain the leading drivers of deforestation globally, much of it destined for export. Companies, regulators and communities need to act—but to act, they first need to see.
Starling provides the clarity and confidence to take the right steps at the right time.
Monitoring supply chains is complex. With fragmented sourcing networks and limited transparency, businesses often struggle to track their full impact. Earthworm's Rob McWilliam, Director of Technical Services, explores some of the key challenges companies face in ensuring deforestation-free sourcing—and how solutions like Starling are bridging the gap.
Starling offers a layered approach to forest and land-use monitoring:
We utilise high-resolution satellite imagery from Airbus to detect changes in forest cover. Our supply chain experts interpret this data to provide meaningful insights into deforestation activities.
Our services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each user. Whether through interactive web portals, detailed reports, or personalised support packages, we ensure that the information is accessible and actionable.
Beyond just maps, we offer early warnings about potential deforestation, tools for risk assessment, and support for engaging with suppliers. This enables companies to take timely and effective actions to protect forests.
Progress on responsible supply chains in the palm oil sector has meant a growing number of methodologies aiming to support companies to become deforestation-free.
However, the adoption of multiple methodologies across the industry has introduced complexity, leaving businesses to navigate a range of approaches and definitions. With this in mind, Earthworm recognises value in aligning our approach with the broader industry to accommodate alternative pathways for categorising volumes as Deforestation and Conversion Free (DCF). As such, this document offers practical guidance on the use of the DCF methodology for palm oil as developed by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Forest Positive Coalition (FPC). It also clarifies how Earthworm interprets and reports on DCF for its members. Download below now.
Earthworm's Deforestation & Conversion Free (DCF) Methodology (Palm Oil - V1.0, April 2025)
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TRACK
historical land-use change (from the past 20 years).
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RECEIVE
near-real-time deforestation alerts.
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IDENTIFY
deforestation hotspots and opportunities to protect forests still standing.
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GUIDE
proactive supplier engagement.
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ASSESS
Assess deforestation to produce a DCF (Deforestation- and Conversion-Free) score, helping companies understand their forest impact.
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ALIGN
with EUDR compliance needs.
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SUPPORT
forest restoration by tracking forest regrowth and regeneration.
Numbers alone don’t change the trajectory of forests, but Starling’s data helps businesses turn insight into impact.
Our team works with large companies, combining Starling’s satellite insights with on-the-ground expertise. By mapping risk areas, engaging suppliers, and prioritising conservation actions, we help businesses take meaningful steps towards truly deforestation-free supply chains.
Meet regulatory needs: Starling helps companies navigate and comply with EUDR requirements. Starling has been adapted to meet the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) through a year-long process of aligning with its definitions and requirements. With integrated geolocation, traceability, and land classification, Starling supports companies in preparing for EUDR compliance before its December 2025 enforcement.
Engage suppliers with tailored action plans.
Reduce costs and increase scale compared to ground monitoring alone.
Track and measure impact over time.
Monitor restoration efforts, including tree survival rates.
Support multi-stakeholder collaboration with shared, objective data.
Starling draws on Airbus’ satellite constellation to analyse over 500,000 images yearly, including high-resolution data at 30cm. This enables consistent, reliable detection of land cover change, including forest loss, across complex landscapes.
Since 2016, Starling has grown through collaboration with major global brands. With over 40 clients and operations spanning 33 countries and 152 provinces—including all major palm oil production regions—we’ve helped embed transparency across some of the world’s most complex supply chains.
of forest monitored globally (2024)
across 5 continents (Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe)
Palm oil, cocoa, coffee, rubber, pulp & paper, coconut, soy, sugarcane
mills monitored
of deforestation detected within concessions (2022)
of deforestation detected within 50km of mills
farms monitored (2022)
sourcing boundaries monitored
monitored (2022)
A 2023 global accuracy assessment led by Earthworm Foundation confirmed that 90% of all forest cover changes detected by Starling were validated in the field. Starling’s alerts are built using industry-recognised practices developed by Pontus Olofsson and Food and Agriculture Association (FAO)—ensuring confidence in the data that informs action.
Starling is used by over 40 global brands brands, producing companies and organisations, including Nestlé, Ferrero, Hershey, Colgate-Palmolive, Reckitt, AAK, Barry Callebaut, Grupo Bimbo, Pacifik Interlink, and others.
We also collaborate with:
(e.g. SODEFOR in Côte d’Ivoire)
For companies like Nestlé, Starling has been game-changing.
Since 2019, Earthworm has worked alongside Nestlé to assess its no-deforestation commitment. In 2024, 96.3% of Nestle's palm oil supply chain was assessed as deforestation-free - yet the remaining 3.7% wasn’t, largely due to insufficient transparency for precise monitoring. That’s where Starling comes in, providing the data needed to close these gaps.
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100% satellite monitoring for global palm oil since 2018
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Achieved 96.3% deforestation-free palm oil supply
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Prioritised engagement on pulp, paper, and coconut
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Integrated into Forest Positive Strategy
Ferrero
Partner since 2013, committed to satellite monitoring since 2021
Achieved 99.7% deforestation-free palm oil supply chain
Hershey
Joined Starling in 2021
Rolling out NDV tracking across palm oil, soy and pulp
Önem Cocoa (Turkey)
Deep-dive supplier assessments with Earthworm
Piloted NDV tracking to build sustainable sourcing for clients like Godiva
Once under threat from intensive cocoa farming, Cavally forest is now a model of regeneration.
Learn how companies use Starling to navigate complexity and build deforestation-free supply chains.
Monitoring Palm Oil Supply in Southeast Asia
To support its commitment to deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing, FrieslandCampina uses Starling to monitor palm oil supply chains in Southeast Asia. With quarterly reports, high-resolution satellite imagery, and Earthworm's field-based insights, the company tracks risk, identifies hotspots, and engages directly with high-risk suppliers. By enhancing traceability to the plantation level and receiving tailored recommendations, FrieslandCampina is driving transformation across its palm oil sourcing.
Ready to See What’s Happening in Your Forests?
Whether you're navigating EUDR, seeking traceability, or protecting forest ecosystems, Starling can support your goals. Contact us to learn how.
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