Questions about sustainability
Climate is the average state of the atmosphere over an extended period of time in a given area. This includes looking at the annual weather cycle and how often extreme weather occurs. The climate is changing because greenhouse gas emissions are out of balance. Want to know more? Read KNMI’s explanation here.
The environment is about the quality of biological habitat, in the air, water and soil. Air pollution, soil erosion, PFAS in soil and biodiversity are all issues related to the environment.
Sustainable Development Goals are goals the United Nations has set the world for 2030. They are the blueprint for a better and more sustainable world for all.
By supporting Trees for the Future, we are contributing to the following 9 Sustainable Development Goals:
No Poverty
“More than 700 million people, or 10% of the world population, still live in extreme poverty and is struggling to fulfil the most basic needs like health, education, and access to water and sanitation.”
Source: No Poverty – United Nations
Zero hunger
“It is time to rethink how we grow, share and consume our food. If done right, agriculture, forestry and fisheries can provide nutritious food for all and generate decent incomes, while protecting the environment.”
Source: Zero hunger – United Nations
Good health and well-being
“Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being at all ages is essential to sustainable development.”
Source: Good health and well-being – United Nations
Decent work and economic growth
“Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs that stimulate the economy while not harming the environment.”
Source: Decent work and economic growth – United Nations
Reduced inequalities
“To reduce inequality, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.”
Source: Reduced inequalities – United Nations
Responsible consumption and production
“Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all.”
Source: Responsible consumption – United Nations
Climate action
“Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly today and even more tomorrow.”
Source: Climate action – United Nations
Life on land
“Forests cover 30.7 per cent of the Earth’s surface and, in addition to providing food security and shelter, they are key to combating climate change. By protecting forests, we will also be able to strengthen natural resource management and increase land productivity.”
Source: Life on land – United Nations
Partnerships for the goals
“A successful sustainable development agenda requires partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society. Inclusive partnerships built upon principles and values, a shared vision, and shared goals that place people and the planet at the centre, are needed.”
Source: Partnerships for the goals – United Nations
Questions about tree planting
Trees absorb the greenhouse gasCO2. An increase in the total number of trees ensures thatCO2 is removed from the air over a longer period of time. Thus, planting trees helps reduce the climate problem. However, it is not a stand-alone solution. A broader range of measures is needed to effectively address climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and balancing our economy with the Earth’s resources. Therefore, our vision of climate responsibility is broader than simply encouraging tree planting. Companies that are climate responsible encourage sustainable choices with tree planting, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and provide useful products and services for society.
Through unFootprint, for example, it is possible to reward customers’ sustainable behavior by having them plant a tree. Thus, customers can be encouraged to go for a refurbished or second-chance product. In this way, we can inspire society to choose sustainability in a fun way and thereby reduce the pressure on our climate.
Finally, trees not only have a positive effect on the climate, but also on the environment and people. They provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species, provide shade, reduce soil erosion and improve soil and air quality. Trees for the Future takes advantage of all these positive impacts to ensure that farmers can maintain robust Forest Gardens in sun-drenched locations. This Forest Garden approach allows farmers to harvest year-round, eat a variety of foods and increase their income without depleting the land. Trees (if planted properly) have so many positive effects that we should plant more of them, even if they are not the only solution to the climate problem.
We have written a comprehensive response that explains exactly how trees affect the climate.
Read our detailed analysis hereTrees transform the greenhouse gasCO2 into glucose (sugar) and oxygen through photosynthesis:
6 CO2 + 12 H2O + photons ➔ C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O
(carbon dioxide + water + light energy ➔ glucose + oxygen + water)
Among other things, the glucose is converted into cellulose (from which cells are made). The carbon element (C) is thus an important building block for the tree. Studies show that dried trees consist of more than 45% carbon.
Many people wonder if it makes sense for the climate to plant trees. After all, doesn’t a tree that dies release theCO2 that has been absorbed again? The short answer is that trees have a positive effect on the climate, if tree planting is done correctly. Here, it is important that the soil and environment be in balance so that nature can restore itself. In addition, the wood from a tree can be used to make products from, keeping theCO2 stored in the wood and avoidingCO2 emissions because there is no need to extract plastic from oil.
We have written a comprehensive response that explains exactly how trees affect the climate.
Read our detailed analysis hereQuestions about Trees for the Future
Worldwide, there are dozens of organizations dedicated to planting trees and/or preserving existing forest. It is therefore easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees. Which organization best suits my purpose? unFootprint compiled a list of more than 30 principles and criteria that we use to evaluate tree planting partners and arrived at Trees for the Future based on that list. Read here why we are excited about Trees for the Future.
Read why we partner with Trees for the FutureIn the first year of participation, trees are planted on the property boundary to create a living wooded bank. These trees provide shade, protect the yard from extreme weather and provide a natural barrier to animals and pests. In addition, fruit trees provide additional food that can be sold or eaten by themselves.
Rows of trees known to fix nitrogen in the soil are placed in the field. This is important in areas where soil quality is inadequate. Thanks to these trees, no fertilizer is needed. These trees can also provide food. Finally, fruit trees will be planted in several places.
Because the trees improve the quality of the soil, rain is better absorbed into the soil instead of being washed away. This creates a green fertile zone with its own microclimate.
The result of this approach is that participants see that the trees have a direct and positive impact on their living conditions. Farmers are thus committed to preserving the trees.
For more information about Trees for the Future and the impact they are making, the 2023 Impact Report is available.
To answer this question, it is good to establish what determines the price of a tree. The price depends on:
- The cost of land;
- Labor costs;
- Certification and verification;
- Seeds and nursery;
- Verifying the result;
- The scale on which to plant.
Trees for the Future has developed a unique approach called the Forest Garden Approach. This approach focuses on improving the living conditions of farmers in the region. The trees are a means to that end. Farmers voluntarily participate in the program and see their sales quadruple thanks to the approach. They are not paid for planting the trees. In addition, they already own the land, which tackles another major cost. The training is provided by former participants of the program. This keeps costs down.
Trees for the Future has planted more than 200 million trees since 1989. Years of experience and scale allow them to do this efficiently. The trees start as seeds and are grown locally in a tree nursery into small trees (of ± 30 cm). From there, they are sent directly to the location where they will be planted.
To monitor how the trees are doing, Trees for the Future has developed an internal tree tracking system. In the first four years, the farmer is assisted by a local trainer, who passes on information about the trees. After this, spot checks will take place.
Trees for the Future is not certified. The reason is that the tree planting organization must own the land and trees in order to provide the necessary guarantees. Because the farmer owns the trees and improves the yield of the land, the trees are well cared for. Certification is expensive and time-consuming and reduces farmer involvement.
On average, Trees for the Future has a month between ordering and planting the trees. Usually we have donated the trees in advance, so they have already absorbedCO2 at the time of ordering!
Questions about unFootprint
UnFootprint partners with tree planting organizations to plant trees. This allows us to put all our attention into giving you the tools to donate trees easily and efficiently, together with your client.
The unFootprint platform allows donors to make donations in a simple (and even automatic) way. As a result, the platform may be of interest to tree planting organizations looking to increase donations. That also aligns with unFootprint’s goal of getting companies to make more positive impact. We are therefore open to starting a new collaboration with another tree planting organization. To do this, however, it is important that your organization aligns well with unFootprint’s sustainable vision.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Get in touchQuestions about participation
In the intake we will answer any questions you may have. There is time for a demo and advice on how best to deploy unFootprint. In addition, we look to see if there are any features missing that will make your experience better, so we can address that.
If there are questions on our end about whether your company fits with unFootprint, we will ask them as well. At the end of the session, we determine together whether we will start the collaboration permanently.
Most clients prefer to have the intake digitally. Through our scheduling tool the intake can be scheduled at a time that suits you. It is also possible for us, by arrangement, to visit your location.
Absolutely not. In the intake, we determine together if we are going to work together.
We are here for all companies that are climate-responsible or transforming themselves into climate-responsible businesses. Companies that do not make essential products with high CO2 emissions and also do not have a concrete ambition to make the transition do not fit well with our vision and services designed accordingly. As a result, participation can lead to greenwashing.
Greenwashing adversely affects both the climate (by causing people to make less sustainable choices) and the company (which may receive negative publicity). Therefore, we make every effort not to facilitate greenwashing. If we have the impression that our product will be used for greenwashing despite our advice, we will not enter into a partnership. However, it is possible to donate trees through unFootprint in that case, as long as it is not used in marketing or communication to customers.
For companies that cannot become partners, it is possible to donate trees anonymously. In doing so, we make agreements, such as that these donations may not be used in marketing communications.
Questions about subscription and billing
The subscription starts at the start of the new month.
