In addition to our goal of helping to combat climate change through the efficient use of renewable energies in Europe, we want to do more and take responsibility. Together with our partner Eden Reforestation Project, we therefore plant 5 mangroves in Madagascar for every gigawatt hour traded and 250 mangroves for every business partner and employee per year. By 2022, we have planted 392,000 mangrove trees.
Why do we plant trees?
Reforestation has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to address the climate crisis. Trees bind carbon and thus contribute to the reduction of harmful greenhouse gases. Mangrove forests play a special role in this process, as they store up to five times more carbon than conventional forests. Each mangrove tree cleans the air by about 12 kg of CO2 per year. In addition, mangrove forests are very important for saving biodiversity and preventing coastal erosion. Madagascar has one of the highest priorities for species conservation in the world due to its high concentration of endemic species and extreme habitat loss. Socioeconomic factors were also considered to ensure the success of the reforestation project. The local communities - often former illegal charcoal producers - are involved in the planting project and receive secure jobs and a regular income.
Moraharivo - location of our reforestation project
The Betsiboka River is the longest river in Madagascar, with mangrove trees representing the natural vegetation in its riverside areas. The mangrove-lined estuary plays an important role for the local community of Moraharivo and the wildlife species represented. Prior to the start of the reforestation project, the mangrove forests in this area fell victim to deforestation and forest destruction due to charcoal production. Our reforestation project supports the local community in the sustainable planting and management of these mangrove forests in order to stop further and future destruction and to create new forest areas.
Updates
In our news we upload a quarterly update of the project progress. More information about the Madagascar project can be found in this video or here. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
