Tree Planting and Reforestation: What the Research Says
Tree planting is a popular corporate sustainability initiative. The evidence on its effectiveness is more nuanced than most brand communications suggest.
Planting trees to offset carbon emissions and restore ecosystems is one of the most widely adopted corporate sustainability initiatives. It is also one of the most debated in the scientific literature. This article looks at what the evidence says about tree planting as a sustainability strategy.
Carbon sequestration
Trees sequester carbon as they grow, incorporating atmospheric CO2 into their biomass. The rate of sequestration depends on the species, the climate, and the age of the tree. Young trees sequester carbon relatively slowly; mature trees sequester it faster. The carbon stored in a tree is released when the tree dies and decomposes, or when it is burned.
Research published in Science estimated that restoring forests globally could sequester 205 gigatonnes of carbon, which would be a significant contribution to climate mitigation. However, subsequent research has questioned some of the assumptions in that estimate, particularly regarding the availability of suitable land and the time horizon for sequestration.
Biodiversity and ecosystem restoration
Beyond carbon, reforestation can restore habitat for wildlife, stabilise soils, regulate water cycles, and support local communities. These benefits are often more immediate and more certain than the carbon sequestration benefits. Planting native species in degraded ecosystems can have measurable positive effects on biodiversity within a decade.
Our approach
We plant one tree for every order placed. We are transparent about the fact that this is a small contribution, not a comprehensive sustainability strategy. We also focus on reducing our packaging footprint, sourcing from sustainable producers, and minimising the carbon footprint of our logistics. Tree planting is one part of a broader commitment, not a substitute for it.