Protecting river communities and wetlands of international importance in India, and previously in Malaysia and the Philippines.

Pledge by Ericsson AB

This pledge will take place from 2020 to 2025

Pledge overview

Since 2015, Ericsson has played an active role in reforesting a riverbank mangrove forest in Sabak Bernam, Malaysia through the use of water and soil sensors. In 2016, 80% of mangroves planted reached maturity, compared to only 40% prior to the project. Ericsson continued to support reforesting efforts until 2023, and today, the initial site and its surrounding areas are fully reforested.

In 2017, Ericsson deployed the same solution in Sasmuan, Pampanga in the Philippines, and in 2020 the site was declared the country's 8th Ramsar site. Ericsson has deployed an AI-enabled solution to help with site protection and migratory bird species identification, which is being used by the local authorities. Ericsson continued to support this initiative until 2023.

Since 2023, Ericsson, in collaboration with The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India (AKAH India), has launched the Biodiversity and Ecosystem-Based Climate Change Adaptation project in the Porbandar district of Gujarat in India, planted more than 300,000 coastal mangroves and 20,000 fruit bearing plants in 10 villages in Porbandar. Ericsson in collaboration with Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) has implemented Disaster Risk and Resilience and Sustainable Environment and Climate project in Sunderbans, West Bengal, India, with more than 85000 mangroves planted. Additionally, the initiative focuses on rejuvenating ten (10) local ponds to serve as a sustainable water source.

Core Insights from India deployment

The project will provide families in coastal areas in 10 project villages with enhanced livelihood opportunities, including fishing activities, etcwhich are normally undertaken in this coastal belt. Moreover, the communities are trained as first responders that may help them during untoward incidents like cyclones and coastal floods.

The on-site monitoring of the mangroves is a challenging and cumbersome task and can not be done merely involving manpower. The project in Porbandar involves monitoring the plantation using 15 sensor nodes (each sensor node comprises 5 sensors viz. temperature and humidity, salinity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pH value). The data from these sensors are sent to servers via telecom networks. These data are analysed so that remedial measures are taken on the ground, helping the plantation to thrive. 

Actions in this pledge

Conserving trees and forest landscapes - 432 hectares of land

• Permanent conservation
• Other conservation activities

Philippines: 405 hectares; Malaysia: 2 hectares; India: 25 hectares.

Malaysia: Installation of soil and water sensors, as well as cameras, that helped the local community to monitor the mangrove reforestation site in 2015-2016.

Philippines: Installation of AI-enabled cameras that monitored the site and identify bird species in 2021.

India: The plantation activity is monitored through IoT sensors. Moreover, village level committees are also formed to take care of the plantation of mangroves and other fruit bearing species.

Restoring and growing trees and forest landscapes - 125000 trees

• Reforestation
• Mangrove restoration
• Mangrove biodiversity monitoring

Malaysia: Mangrove tree planting done from 2015-2019, and in 2022 and 2023.

Philippines: Installation of AI enabled cameras in 2021.

India: IoT based sensor monitoring system has been put in place for on-site monitoring of the plants growth. 

Enabling activities for trees and forest landscapes

• Education and capacity building
• Community mobilization
• Youth engagement
• Data collection, management and technological tools

Malaysia: We worked with the local community to ensure that the project implementation is in line with local guidelines. We also ensure that we engage with the community to address their needs, and conduct training to transfer knowledge on the ICT solution installed

Philippines: Installation of AI-enabled cameras to monitor the site and help to identify migratory bird species was made in 2021. The project has been turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as of end 2023.

India: In Gujarat, the project involved plantation of mangroves that involved identification of land parcels, treatment of land, development of nurseries and actual plantation over the project cycle from December 2022 to November 2023. In the same duration, the activities such as plantation of fruit bearing saplings and training and capacity building of communities was done. The idea was to achieve ecosystem-based climate change adaptation involving communities. The idea of on-site monitoring of the plantation using IoT based sensor network is the uniqueness of the project enabling precise growth monitoring. In 2024, it has been planned to take this model of connected mangroves plantation to other coastal districts(s) of Gujarat, in order to create larger footprint and enable comparative study of IoT based climate change adaptation.

Sundarbans India

The project delivered significant impact, surpassing multiple initial targets and creating meaningful community benefits. It successfully planted over 85,000 mangrove saplings, strengthened more than 4,000 sq. meters of coastline with vetiver grass for natural protection, and rejuvenated 10 ponds, improving water access for 4,618 households. In addition, 351 community members were trained in disaster preparedness and sustainable livelihood practices, helping build long-term resilience. Overall, the initiative reached 99,580 people directly, exceeding the planned outreach of 90,000 beneficiaries and demonstrating strong community engagement and effectiveness.

Our ecologically and socially responsible approach

In Malaysia, the Philippines and India, we worked and work with the local community to ensure that the project implementation is in line with local guidelines. We also ensure that we engage with the community to address their needs, and conduct training to transfer knowledge on the ICT solution installed. In the Philippines, we worked with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure that proper measures are taken with regard to site protection.

In India, we work with AKAH to ensure a community-centered, ecosystem- and technology-based approach to enhance the resilience of coastal communities vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards. Sunderbans India, 351 community members were trained in emergency response, environmental conservation, and disaster preparedness. Through 27 specialised training sessions, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) developed skills in mangrove and vetiver plantation, fostering sustainable livelihoods. Various SHGs have gained expertise in managing mangrove nurseries and vetiver-based enterprises, ensuring long-term income opportunities. Involving local youth in environmental conservation will encourage long-term care for nature.

Our results tracking now in India

Ecological impacts tracking methods: Baseline Surveys, Long-Term Monitoring, Stakeholder Interviews, Collaboration with Experts, Use of IoT networks for monitoring the growth of mangrove.

Social impacts tracking methods: Baseline Surveys, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Focus Group Discussions.

Ecological metrics

Growth of mangroves, increase in biodiversity (fishes, crabs and birds)

Social metrics

Number of jobs created within the community, Increase in household income for SHG members, Improvement in skills related to mangrove conservation and alternative livelihoods, Improvement in the status and involvement of women in the community, Increased participation and decision-making by community members 

Our partners

Malaysia: community of Kampung Dato Hormat, Sabak Bernam;

Philippines: Smart Communications, local government unit of Pampanga, and Dept of Environment and Natural Resources;

India: The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), Forest Department of Gujarat, Department of Climate Change of Gujarat.

Sunderbans India: Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)

Our active locations in 2025

We are actively working at locations across India:

• India, Gujarat, Porbandar
• India, West Bengal, Sunderbans

Our implementation progress

Pledge implementation progress reporting is managed in collaboration with IUCN’s Restoration Barometer, and is required annually from the year following pledge publication.

Ericsson pledge implementation progress report 2022 (with supporting documentation)

Ericsson pledge implementation progress dashboard 2023 (with supporting documentation)

Ericsson pledge implementation progress dashboard 2024 (submitted by Ericsson, will be online soon)