Holiday Greetings: 180,000 Trees Planted

Back in 2011, we at Nordic Business Forum started planting at least one tree per attendee as a way create carbon sinks. For the past three years, we’ve done this through the reforestation programs by World Vision. This 13-year commitment has now resulted in the donation of over 911,800 trees.

Fighting Climate Change Through Reforestation

Our donation to World Vision’s reforestation initiative will enable the restoration of 180 hectares of forest land in Ethiopia, resulting in the planting of approximately 180,000 tree seedlings. This effort is part of World Vision’s Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) project, a method that revives underground root systems and promotes rapid, cost-effective, and sustainable reforestation.

Through this approach, degraded lands are transformed into thriving ecosystems, which capture carbon from the atmosphere, combat soil erosion, and reduce the risks of extreme weather. This not only supports the environment but also improves food production, local livelihoods, and biodiversity in the region.

Supporting Communities and Promoting Equality

The FMNR project doesn’t just focus on the environment; it also invests in local communities, ensuring the sustainability of the initiative. Forest cooperatives, formed by local residents, are at the heart of the project. These groups oversee the reforestation work, embedding it into the daily lives of the community.

A unique aspect of the project is its dedication to empowering women and people with disabilities. Thanks to the World Vision initiative, these groups gain access to training, savings, and entrepreneurial opportunities that promote their economic independence and elevate their roles in society. By contributing to their personal and financial growth, the project strengthens entire communities.

Additionally, the improved living conditions, better crop yields, and financial stability brought about by FMNR directly impact the well-being of children in the community. Families are able to provide more nutritious food and send their children to school, building the foundation for long-term sustainable development.

Protecting Biodiversity in Finland

While our donations to World Vision addresses reforestation and climate resilience abroad, we are also taking action closer to home. In 2022 our parent company, Nordic Business Group, launched a forest protection initiative in Finland. This initiative focuses on preserving and restoring biodiversity by protecting valuable forest land.

Our first major step was submitting an application to ELY to protect almost 40 hectares of biodiverse forest. This marks the beginning of our journey toward safeguarding Finland’s natural heritage for future generations. Through active acquisition and preservation of biodiverse forest areas, we aim to continue expanding this initiative in the coming years.

A Shared Responsibility

The global climate crisis and biodiversity loss require collective action, and we are dedicated to play our small part in that. Whether it’s supporting sustainable livelihoods in Ethiopia or protecting precious ecosystems in Finland, or something else, every effort matters.

We hope you and your organization join us on the journey to support and protect our planet. Together, we can build a future where both nature and people can thrive!