Our climate project experts carefully select high quality restoration projects worldwide, including reforestation, agroforestry and mangrove initiatives. In Belgium and other European countries, project locations depend on the availability of privately owned land with committed landowners. Beyond Europe, projects are typically developed in partnership with environmental NGOs or local and indigenous communities.

Trees are needed everywhere, but we focus on planting them where they generate the greatest positive effect on biodiversity, carbon storage, employment, livelihoods and the local economy. This means planting the right trees, in the right environments, with the right partners and using the right methods.

The choice of project can align with your company’s DNA, sustainability strategy, campaign objectives or geographic focus. Some organisations apply an insetting approach, supporting restoration initiatives in regions where they operate. Others select projects that reflect their brand story or stakeholder engagement priorities.

Your choice may also depend on whether you are contributing to regular restoration projects or seeking certified carbon credit projects to address residual emissions within a broader climate strategy.

All our projects are carefully selected to generate meaningful ecological and social impact. The most suitable option depends on your objectives and how tree planting fits within your overall sustainability framework.

You can explore detailed information about each project on our impact platform or schedule a call with us to determine which approach aligns best with your organisation.

• We would love to include every country on Earth in our portfolio, but we have to build our portfolio slowly as we grow so we can guarantee a minimum number of trees per project year after year. This is important because we want to support local livelihoods and create and secure jobs, and especially because we want to create perspective and be future-proof. We want to support sustainable development in every way possible, so we cannot accept a decline in the number of trees we can plant per project.
• Furthermore, we aim to guarantee the quality of each project we support. Therefore, we take our time carefully selecting the right projects to support, making sure the promises we make will be executed and regular quality checks are established.

• Planting trees locally in Belgium has several crucial benefits. Firstly, trees help improve local air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants while releasing oxygen. They also contribute to biodiversity by providing habitats for various species, supporting ecosystems, and promoting a healthier environment for wildlife. Moreover, trees play a role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They help in regulating local temperatures, reducing the urban heat island effect, and preventing soil erosion.
• On a global scale, planting trees is essential for several reasons. Trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, thereby helping to offset the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming. Forests also influence regional and global climates by affecting atmospheric moisture, temperature, and rainfall patterns. Furthermore, trees and forests support the livelihoods of communities around the world by providing resources such as timber, fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants. They also contribute to water conservation, prevent desertification, and support sustainable agriculture.
• By planting trees both locally and globally, we can address environmental issues on various scales, from enhancing local ecosystems to combating climate change on a broader, more impactful level. Each tree planted contributes to a healthier planet and a more sustainable future for all.

The trees you order are planted during the current or next planting season. The planting season differs from project location to project location.

• Europe: during Winter (November – March)
• Armenia: during Spring and during Fall (around April, around October)
• Argentina: during the rainy season (October – May, September-November)
• Brazil: during the rainy season (October – March/May, depending on the exact location)
• Peru: during the rainy season (October – February)
• Madagascar: during the rainy season (mangroves: May-October, agroforestry: December-June, depending on the exact location)
• DR Congo: during the rainy season (September-May)
• Tanzania: during the rainy season (March – May, October – December)
• India: during the rainy season (July-November)

These time frames are indicative. The exact planting schedule depends on favourable weather conditions.

Since some of our projects don’t sell out, it might be possible that you’re buying trees that have been planted a while ago. As they were pre-financed and will still need further support as they grow, we still want to give them the financing they need.

Tree species are chosen according to the ecological characteristics of each site. To strengthen resilience, at least three species are planted, with no single species exceeding seventy percent of the total composition. If local conditions do not allow this level of diversity, the project description will state this explicitly.

Structural diversity reduces vulnerability to pests and pathogens and enhances the forest’s ability to adapt to environmental stress. Promoting biodiversity is a central objective, as heterogeneous forests are better equipped to withstand challenges such as climate change. The overarching goal is to establish forests that are ecologically robust and responsibly managed over the long term.

Ecologically, our restoration projects contribute to biodiversity enhancement, carbon storage, improved soil health, strengthened water regulation, increased landscape resilience and the restoration of wildlife habitats.

Healthy forests play a crucial role in stabilising soils, reducing erosion, improving water infiltration and supporting local water cycles. By restoring degraded land with the right species in the right locations, we help rebuild functioning ecosystems over the long term.

At the same time, local communities are actively involved in nursery management, planting, maintenance and monitoring activities. Projects create and secure employment opportunities with fair compensation, support skills development through education and training, and in some cases include productive tree species that can be sustainably harvested to strengthen local livelihoods.

By combining ecosystem restoration with community engagement, our projects aim to deliver long-term, shared value.

• Implementing maintenance and monitoring mechanisms to track the growth and health of trees post-planting is crucial. Regular maintenance, including watering, protection from pests, and disease control, can significantly improve survival rates.
• The choice of a mix of native or appropriate tree species that are well-suited to the local environment and ecosystem helps to ensure their survival and contribution to the ecosystem. Additionally, a well chosen low-risk planting site (based on factors like soil type, climate, and water availability) positively affects the trees’ ability to thrive. In locations where wildfire risk is present, fire corridors are established as part of the restoration design to mitigate potential fire hazards.
• The land ownership — and, therefore, the protection on the long term — is fixed in contracts with land owners, NGOs, or indigenous communities.
• By creating awareness and educating, training, and involving the local communities, we can secure a good future for the forests. Local involvement fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility and encourages the care and protection of planted trees, even long after the projects have been completed.
• Go Forest adapts to changing environmental conditions and learns from past experiences to help refine strategies for future tree planting projects, improving the projects’ sustainability.

The duration of maintenance and monitoring depends on the project location. Trees are typically maintained for three to five years, depending on regional conditions. During this period, active care supports early growth and healthy establishment. In temperate regions, we guarantee protection and monitoring for 30 years. In tropical regions, this protection period is typically 10 years. Thinning activities are thoughtfully planned to support forest health and resilience. The harvested wood can be sold by the landowner, providing a responsible way to manage the forest while maintaining its ecological value. Within these guaranteed periods, clearcuts are not permitted. Of course, we do everything we can to ensure forest health, protection and survival well beyond these fixed periods.

All of our projects undergo a rigorous due diligence process before selection. We assess ecological indicators, governance structures, land ownership, nursery practices and community involvement to ensure that restoration activities align with clearly defined standards and long-term objectives.

During and after planting, projects are monitored through a layered system that combines field verification, local expertise and satellite-based monitoring. On-site visits are conducted regularly, and planting activities are cross checked against registries and field observations to safeguard accuracy and accountability.

Each project is mapped on our impact platform, where you can follow progress, access location data and review field updates. Transparency is not an add-on. It is built into every step of the process.

Still in doubt? Go there and check for yourself!

• Go Forest aims for a tree survival rate of 100% in year 1 (after replanting activities) and 80% in the long term.
• There are always young trees that die in the first year. These will all be replanted in the first year after planting, so that we start with a solid base. After a while, it is very common for the survival rate to be lower than 100% as planted trees can take up a lot of space. As a result, not all trees have enough space to grow and only the strong survive. This is not a negative outcome, because during natural forest development, extensive fauna and flora will develop next to and under the trees. Smaller shrubs and plants will also benefit from the biodiversity the trees bring, and a healthy forest can develop.
• In each project undertaken, meticulous consideration is given to site selection, favoring areas with minimal susceptibility to catastrophic events. Risk mitigation strategies are implemented where necessary. For example, we avoid tree planting in regions highly prone to forest fires. In instances where planting in fire-sensitive areas is unavoidable or necessary and valuable for nature, fire corridors and forest maintenance practices are implemented to reduce risks.
• It is imperative to acknowledge, however, that certain uncontrollable events such as floods or conflicts may arise, compromising the viability of the forest. In circumstances deemed as force majeure, Go Forest expressly disclaims liability for any resultant loss of the forest, recognizing the limitations imposed by unforeseeable and insurmountable external factors.

• around 50% —> preparation, nursing, planting, and maintenance of the plantation
• around 25% —> monitoring and reporting on the plantation via digital tools and technology
• around 25% —> marketing, awareness creation, and overhead
  

• We monitor forests rather than individual trees due to the intricate, interconnected nature of these ecosystems. Forests represent long-term, complex systems where trees coexist in a delicate balance, influencing each other’s growth and survival.
• By focusing on the forest as a whole, we can grasp the health of the entire ecosystem, ensuring its resilience and sustained vitality. While individual trees are crucial, the emphasis on forests allows us to observe patterns, like an approximate 80% survival rate or the natural cycle of birth and death within the broader context. This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of ecological dynamics, enabling us to implement measures that support not just singular trees but the enduring health and diversity of the entire forest ecosystem.

Reforested sites require active management throughout their entire lifecycle. Forests do not simply grow without intervention until the trees reach the end of their natural life. Thinning is a key silvicultural practice applied across Europe to improve stand structure and ecological function. By selectively removing trees, competition for light, water and nutrients is reduced. The remaining individuals can then develop stronger crowns and root systems, which increases resilience against pests, disease and climate stressors.

Thinning also plays an important role in light management. Openings created in the canopy allow complementary vegetation such as herbaceous plants and shrubs to establish. This additional layer of vegetation provides habitats that are highly favorable to biodiversity.

For projects in Europe, we work with our technical partner Sylva Nova. After five years, 85 percent of the target density is ensured and each plot is guaranteed to remain wooded for at least thirty years without any change in land use. Removed wood can be sold by the landowner, providing a responsible way to balance ecological value with economic considerations. While there is no strong economic incentive, the removed wood provides a modest income for the landowners, ensuring forests are properly managed.

More insights on thinning and its role in forest resilience are available in our news article https://goforest.be/enhancing-forest-resilience-through-thoughtful-thinning-practices/.

Tree planting is valuable (carbon sequestration, oxygen production, temperature regulation…), but it’s not a standalone solution to climate change. It’s most effective when combined with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve existing forests, and transition to sustainable practices.

By integrating tree planting initiatives in close cooperation with local communities, our projects can contribute to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals simultaneously. This integrated approach connects ecosystem restoration with social and economic development.

Below, we highlight several SDGs that our projects may support. The exact goals addressed vary per project and can be found on the respective project page within the impact platform.

• SDG 13: Climate Action: Tree planting is a powerful tool to combat climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide and mitigating the effects of greenhouse gases.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: Reforestation efforts directly align with this goal by promoting the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Planting trees helps preserve biodiversity, restore degraded lands, and protect habitats for various species, supporting overall ecosystem health.
• SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Involving local communities in tree planting can create job opportunities and promote sustainable livelihoods. This engagement can generate income through activities like seed collection, nursery management, planting, and maintenance of trees.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Trees play a role in watershed management, aiding in water retention and quality. Planting trees in degraded areas can help restore natural water cycles, reducing soil erosion and improving water availability.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Collaborating with local and/or indigenous communities ensures their active participation, respect for traditional knowledge, and inclusion in decision-making processes. Empowering these communities creates a more equitable distribution of benefits from environmental initiatives.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Reforestation contributes to sustainable land management and resource use. It promotes responsible production practices by emphasizing the importance of preserving and restoring ecosystems for future generations.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Collaboration between local communities, indigenous groups, governments, NGOs, and businesses is crucial for successful reforestation efforts. Creating partnerships fosters knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and joint action towards achieving common goals.
  

• Our trees in Belgium are mainly planted when the best conditions arise for our saplings to thrive. This means that we can often not guarantee an exact planting date and thus opportunities for participation in the tree planting are rather limited for our members. However, plenty of other activities (including also symbolic tree planting) can be organised. Let us know about your needs and we’re happy to brainstorm with you or prepare you a special offer.
• Besides that, in Belgium, we sometimes offer opportunities for volunteering or participating in a variety of activities of Go Forest. Keep an eye out on our social media or our newsletter to follow when opportunities arise. If you’re looking for something more specific, we do recommend to check with international organisations specialized in volunteering.
• In our projects in the global South, we wish to create as many local jobs (and thus positive social impact) as possible, so volunteers for tree planting activities are usually not required. When volunteering opportunities do arise in our projects abroad, a more extensive period of time is required (minimum of 3 months) and specific skills are sought after (HR, IT, (digital) marketing or research & development).

Go Forest continuously shares knowledge about reforestation and the broader topic of climate action via its newsletters, news posts, LinkedIn, and Instagram page.