Many trees are needed, many approaches can be useful

This aims to plant a trillion trees, a development and continuation of the activities of the earlier Billion Tree Campaign, instigated by Wangari Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement in Africa in 1977.

History of Billion of Trees —

The Green Belt Movement began planting trees in Africa in 1977, eventually more than 30 million trees. The Billion Tree Campaign was launched in 2006 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a response to the challenges of climate change, as well as to a wider array of sustainability challenges from water supply to biodiversity loss, and achieved the initial target of planting a billion trees in 2007.

In 2008, the campaign’s objective was raised to 7 billion trees – surpassed three months before its target of the climate change conference that was held in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009.

Felix Finkbeiner addressed the United Nations in a speech to open the International Year of Forests 2011, saying: “It is now time that we work together. We combine our forces, old and young, rich and poor; and together, we can plant a trillion trees. We can start the Trillion Tree Campaign.”

In December 2011, after more than 12 billion trees had been planted, UNEP formally handed management of the program to the youth-led not-for-profit Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation (an organisation that had been participating in the Billion Tree Campaign since 2007), based in Tutzing, Germany. Momentum has since continued, with 40,000 young ambassadors spreading the message in over 100 countries.

By 2020 the Plant-for-the-Planet app had been released under an open-source license, and allowed users to register planted trees or to plant trees by donating to different tree-planting organizations around the world. The foundation does not take any commissions for donations made through the campaign.

One Trillion Tree Initiative —

In 2015 there were about 3 trillion trees and later it was also estimated that planting 1.2 trillion more trees would counteract 10 years of anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

The 2020 World Economic Forum, held in Davos, announced the creation of the One Trillion Tree Initiative platform for governments, businesses, and civil society to provide support to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2020-2030), led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. (FAO). Forum participant Donald Trump, president of the United States, announced that the government of the U.S. would commit to the initiative.

As of 4 February 2020, 13.6 billion trees have been planted.

“It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.” – Wangari Maathai

Principles of One Trillion Trees —

>> Cutting fossil fuel emissions is more important
>> Conserve existing ecosystems worldwide
>> Socially and ecologically responsible restoration

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Notice the platform web site: 1t.org

1t.org exists to connect, empower and mobilize a global reforestation community of millions, unleashing their potential to act at an unprecedented scale and speed, to ensure the conservation and restoration of one trillion trees within this decade.

1t.org is a World Economic Forum initiative, designed to support the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. (FAO). 1t.org offers a platform for leading governments, businesses, civil society and ecopreneurs committed to serving the global trillion trees community.

Our mission: To serve and empower the reforestation community. To unlock the conditions needed to re-green our planet. To break down the barriers preventing conservation and restoration at scale. To connect the people that want to help with the people that can help them. To play our part in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and assist others in doing the same. And, to understand that time is not on our side and if we want to heal the planet, we must make every day count. Thus, 1t.org is a platform for the trillion tree community.

What is the role of trees and forests for meeting global climate goals?

Nature based solutions (NBS) are an important part of solving the global climate crisis, but they are not a silver bullet.

According to the 2019 IPCC Special Report, better land management can contribute to tackling climate change, including through so called nature-based solutions (NBS) that lock up carbon in the world’s forests, grasslands and wetlands. Latest science suggests that NBS can provide up to one-third of the emissions reductions required by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement targets.

The IPCC is however equally clear on NBS not being a silver bullet and that emission reductions from all sectors is essential for meeting the targets of the Paris Agreement. Indeed, to be effective climate solutions, NBS such as forest restoration, forest conservation, reforestation or natural regeneration need to be part of a broader strategy to protect nature and tackle climate change.

Read the full FAQ here.