How PMI is Leveraging Geospatial Data for Climate Goals
Philip Morris International (PMI) is harnessing the power of geospatial analysis to strengthen its environmental stewardship and business resilience.
Introduced in 2020, PMI’s in-house geospatial analysis programme is offering a data-rich lens through which the company can monitor and manage its environmental impacts across a complex global supply chain.
From tracking deforestation to managing water risks and protecting biodiversity, PMI says the initiative provides targeted, actionable insights to guide sustainability strategies.
Satellites driving sustainability
Geospatial analysis relies on the collection, integration and visualisation of spatial data.
Recent advances in satellite technology, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) have made it a powerful tool in environmental management.
PMI leverages this intelligence to assess land use, monitor forest cover, analyse water usage and evaluate biodiversity risks.
It enables more frequent and precise monitoring, down to 10-metre resolution, allowing PMI to differentiate between natural and planted forests and to identify changes in land cover in near real time.
One of PMI’s most prominent goals is to eliminate deforestation risks throughout its supply chain by 2030.
The company monitors more than 76.4 million hectares, an area nearly the size of Chile, and uses satellite alerts to detect forest disturbances weekly.
This technology allows PMI to:
- Improve land monitoring granularity from 30 m to 10 m
- Distinguish forest types using dedicated algorithms
- Receive global alerts on forest disturbances
- Assess land cover changes for conservation compliance.
For example, in north-east Brazil, PMI used satellite imagery to verify that farmland earmarked for tobacco cultivation had not been converted from natural ecosystems since 2019.
The land's continued conformity with environmental standards supported the company's Zero Deforestation Manifesto.
An enabler for nature preservation
PMI's geospatial programme underpins its broader environmental goals: halting deforestation, managing water responsibly and protecting biodiversity.
"PMI’s geospatial analysis programme provides an enhanced approach to environmental stewardship. It helps us to map, monitor and manage our impacts and dependencies on natural capital within our value chain," states PMI.
By visualising satellite imagery and spatial data, PMI can identify environmental risks at a granular level and translate them into real-world actions.
This includes aligning sourcing decisions with conservation targets and using nature-focused indicators to improve operations across more than 70 countries.
Enhancing stewardship
Water is another area where geospatial intelligence could play a vital role.
PMI assesses water risks across its manufacturing sites and tobacco-growing areas using watershed data, physical water quality indicators and spatial proximity to sensitive ecosystems.
In Italy, this approach informed the rollout of a water optimisation project across Umbria and Campania, resulting in 6,858 cubic metres of water saved per year.
The Brazil Water Guardian project also uses this strategy, using land slope and rainfall data to evaluate and improve water retention in rural communities.
Geospatial tools also enable PMI to understand biodiversity risks linked to land use, climate pressures, pollution and invasive species.
The company applies spatial insights to determine how close its sites are to protected areas or regions home to endangered species.
This data feeds into nature-related risk assessments aligned with the Task Force for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), allowing PMI to tailor conservation strategies that protect habitats while supporting supply chain integrity.
Future-proofing
By embedding geospatial analysis into its sustainability roadmap, PMI hopes it is not only mitigating immediate environmental threats but also enhancing its ability to anticipate future risks.
"By integrating advanced technologies like geospatial mapping, we can make more informed decisions, drive innovation and progress on efforts to preserve nature,” says PMI.
By translating satellite data into on-the-ground action, PMI hopes to set a new standard for how multinational supply chains can integrate technology, transparency and sustainability to shape a more resilient and responsible future.
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