WeForest is focused on scalable reforestation and sustainable land use projects in degraded tropical areas around the world. The goals are both global and local: by restoring the integrity of ecosystems and increasing the amount of trees, there is both a contribution to combat climate change and to improve local biodiversity and livelihoods.
Trees are seen as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and combat climate change. Trees absorb and keep (capture) CO2, help to regulate climate variations and water availability and improve the soil quality, forming the basis for ecosystem services that support biodiversity and human needs alike.
WeForest works in multiple countries, in coordination with local partners. There is also a close collaboration with researchers, using and contributing actively to scientific developments. The funding for these projects comes predominantly from corporate entities, which are given a scalable and transparent way to fund reforestation projects worldwide and complement their own corporate sustainability and engagement initiatives. Over 13 million trees have been planted to date, with 96% of the funds coming from sponsors, 4% from private donors and 0% public funds.
Their approach follows a consistent pattern of prior assessment, tailored projects developed and implemented with local partners and supported by research-based procedures, and extensive follow-up monitoring and reporting efforts. Different reforestation approaches are followed, depending on local conditions: Agroforestry methods are used to integrate trees into farmland, Assisted Natural Regeneration is used to strengthen existing forests, Forest Framework Planting for recovering degraded areas and build ecological corridors, and the Vallerani method for reforesting dry /semi-desert areas.
Besides aiming for greater tree coverage, WeForest works with communities and local stakeholders to ensure that the development of the new forests is cared for locally and that their use brings concrete short- and long-term benefits both for the environment and the livelihoods of people. As such, reforestation efforts are combined with education, empowerment of women, capacity-building and the development of additional income streams,
