Ericsson's Connected Mangroves project wins UN climate change award

A ground-breaking technology project in Malaysia initiated by telecommunications firm Ericsson was announced as one of 13 winners of United Nations 'Momentum for Change' climate change award to be held at a UN Climate Conference in Marrakech, Morrocco in November.

In a statement issued by the telecommunications company, the Ericsson’s Connected Mangroves project uses sensors to provide near real-time information to restore dwindling mangrove plantations.

“The Connected Mangroves project addresses the need to protect an important part of the ecosystem of the nearly 3,000 miles (4,828km) of coastline in Malaysia.

“By combining ICT innovation with collaborative partnerships that are built on a shared vision, we now see a higher percentage of the mangrove saplings will most likely reach maturity,” said Head of Ericsson Malaysia and Sri Lanka Todd Ashton in the statement.

For the project, volunteers planted mangrove saplings that have been equipped with sensors that can monitor real-time information about soil and weather conditions, fires, water levels and any intrusion from third parties to ensure positive growth and rehabilitation of eroded coastlines.

Data is compiled and sent directly to a cloud system where users, such as farmers, NGOs, analysts and authorities, can have access to it to understand more about the current status of the saplings.

The Momentum for Change initiative is spearheaded by the UNFCCC secretariat to shine a light on some of the most innovative, scalable and replicable examples of what people are doing to address climate change.

The “Connected Mangroves” project was awarded under the Momentum for Change ICT Solutions focus area because it is a shining example of how ICT and mobility can be used together to restore dwindling mangrove plantations.