1t.org

1t.org
Name	1t.org
Founded	2020
Location	World Economic Forum, Geneva
Key people	Klaus Schwab, Marc Benioff
Website	https://www.1t.org

1t.org is a global initiative launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos with the ambitious goal of conserving, restoring, and growing one trillion trees by 2030. It serves as a platform connecting a diverse coalition of governments, corporations, non-profits, and individuals to accelerate nature-based solutions to climate change. The initiative is part of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and aligns with global climate goals like the Paris Agreement.

Overview

The platform operates as a multi-stakeholder community, leveraging the convening power of the World Economic Forum to mobilize action and investment. It functions through regional chapters, including efforts in the United States led by the World Economic Forum and American Forests, and the initiative in China. Key supporters include prominent figures like Marc Benioff of Salesforce and organizations such as the World Resources Institute and the World Wildlife Fund. The initiative emphasizes the critical role of forests in sequestering carbon, protecting biodiversity, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

History and launch

The concept was formally announced in January 2020 at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, building upon earlier scientific calls for large-scale reforestation. It was inspired in part by a 2019 study published in *Science* that highlighted the global potential for tree restoration. The launch was supported by founding partners including Salesforce, Microsoft, and Mastercard, with an initial commitment to begin mobilizing the Trillion Trees vision. The World Economic Forum serves as the secretariat, coordinating the global effort from its headquarters in Geneva.

Objectives and initiatives

Primary objectives include catalyzing pledges from the private sector, supporting indigenous and local community-led projects, and promoting the use of technology for monitoring. Major initiatives include the CEO Alliance of corporate leaders and the Trillion Trees Challenge for innovation. The platform also supports specific campaigns like Arbor Day Foundation plantings and the Great Green Wall project in Africa. A core focus is on ensuring the right trees are planted in the right places for ecological integrity, moving beyond mere numbers to measurable, long-term impact.

Governance and partners

Governance is steered by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with a council of advisors from science, policy, and business. Key implementation partners include global NGOs like the World Resources Institute, which manages the Global Forest Watch platform, and Conservation International. Corporate partners range from Siemens and Bank of America to Unilever and Nestlé. The initiative also works closely with governmental bodies such as the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Pakistan, which leads the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami program.

Impact and progress

By its third anniversary, the platform reported pledges exceeding several billion trees from hundreds of entities worldwide. Notable pledges include the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Community and corporate commitments from Amazon and HP Inc.. Progress is tracked through platforms like Global Forest Watch and the Bonn Challenge dashboard. The initiative has helped channel significant funding into projects like the Atlantic Forest restoration in Brazil and mangrove conservation in Southeast Asia, contributing to broader goals like the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Criticism and challenges

The initiative has faced scrutiny from some environmental scientists and activists who warn against viewing mass tree planting as a simple panacea, citing risks of monoculture plantations and greenwashing. Critics, including organizations like Greenpeace, argue it must not distract from the paramount need to reduce fossil fuel emissions and protect existing old-growth forests, such as those in the Amazon rainforest and Borneo. Key challenges include ensuring long-term survival of saplings, respecting Indigenous land rights, and creating transparent, verifiable monitoring systems to prevent double-counting of pledges.

Category:World Economic Forum Category:Reforestation Category:Climate change organizations