At Go Forest, our core team in Belgium may not be very large, but our reach and impact are. Through a vast network of dedicated partners and colleagues, we uphold high standards of quality and transparency in our reforestation efforts. Our strategic collaborations and meticulous processes ensure that every tree planted contributes effectively to combating climate change.
Image 1: Picture of a newly planted tree in agroforestry Akamasoa, Madagascar (2024).
The critical mind
In an era where the urgency to combat climate change is more pressing than ever, Go Forest is dedicated to making a tangible impact by planting trees across 17 countries. Given the vast geographical spread and the scale of our operations, one might wonder how a relatively small team can effectively manage and control the planting and maintenance of trees across so many regions. The answer lies in our strategic collaboration and good relation with local partners and our integration within the larger network of climate consultants at CO2logic and South Pole.
Why our local partners are essential.
At Go Forest, we believe that the key to successful reforestation lies in working closely with those who know the land best. By partnering with local organizations and communities, we ensure that each agroforestry and reforestation project is tailored to the specific environmental and socio-economic conditions of the area. These local partners bring invaluable expertise and insights, enabling us to make informed decisions that enhance the success and sustainability of our projects.
Our local partners are not just contractors; they are integral members of the Go Forest family. They provide us with frequent, detailed reports from the field, which are essential for monitoring the progress and health of our reforestation efforts. This ground-level intelligence is complemented by satellite imaging and AI calculations (with partners such as Genvision), which allow us to assess the impact of our projects in real-time. Together, these tools enable us to track metrics such as carbon sequestration with a high degree of accuracy.
The strength of South Pole’s global network
Our collaboration with South Pole, a global leader in climate solutions, further strengthens our operational capabilities. As part of South Pole’s extensive network, we have colleagues and resources in every country where we operate. This global presence ensures that we maintain a high level of oversight and control over all our projects, regardless of location.
Being part of this network means that each project is subject to rigorous, due diligence, monitoring, and evaluation processes, ensuring that every tree planted contributes to our overall goal of mitigating climate change. Additionally, this affiliation provides us with access to cutting-edge technologies and methodologies, further enhancing the precision and effectiveness of our efforts.
Image 2: Our local partner CEPAN in Brazil, responsible for the project planning, management, and follow-up (2023).
The importance of field presence
Our vision on transparency is a modern and achievable one — with as little travel impact as possible. Nevertheless, periodically, it becomes essential for us to step away from our offices and venture into the field. Concretely, we make sure that once or twice per year, someone from the Go Forest team or from our large and trustworthy network via South Pole visits the projects and checks whether everything has been executed properly.
When we visit, we have clear goals:
- Verify that all trees were planted using tree registries kept for every planting activity. The data in the registries is compared to our Tree Purchase Orders and the reality in the field.
- Verify that maintenance and monitoring activities are well executed. Measuring the impact of natural regeneration on the field. Survival rates of 100% in the first year and 80% in the long term (80% survival in the long term still establishes a full grown forest, as natural regeneration fills the gaps).
- Meet all of our seasonal, part time, or full time field workers. Check wether local employment happens according to our standards. Research how more local involvement can be established.
Image 3: Surveillance of plots by South Pole in the Go Forest and Camino Verde reforestation project in Peru (2023).
Next to these three main activities we also: build relationships and establish bonds to fight the climate crisis, collect photos and videos for our library, learn continuously and explore methods for increased transparency, share best practices, and explore more projects in the same region.
Image 3: Marte (Go Forest) and environmental scientist Paolo visiting local partner CYDO in Tanzania (2024).
Commitment to transparency and accountability
At Go Forest, we take our commitment to transparency and accountability very seriously. Every company that partners with us receives access to a personalized impact dashboard. This dashboard provides real-time updates and detailed reports on their reforestation projects, including the number of trees planted, their growth status, and the predicted carbon sequestration. This dashboard ensures that our partners can see the direct impact of their investment in environmental sustainability.
In addition to individual dashboards, we publish an annual report that provides a comprehensive overview of our reforestation efforts and achievements. This report is made available to all our members, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability.
Quality as a core value
Quality is at the heart of everything we do at Go Forest. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every tree we plant is part of a sustainable and impactful reforestation effort. Our rigorous quality control processes are designed to ensure that we not only meet but exceed industry standards. We are so dedicated to this principle that the thought of planting even one tree less than promised keeps us up at night.
By combining the local expertise of our partners with the global resources and oversight provided by South Pole, we can deliver reforestation projects that are both impactful and sustainable. Our use of technology and our unwavering commitment to transparency ensure that our partners can trust in the quality and integrity of our work.
Image 4: Go Forest and local partner My Forest Armenia in the Armenian nursery (2022).
In conclusion, Go Forest’s unique model of leveraging local partnerships and being part of a broader network allows us to effectively manage reforestation projects across 17 countries – and even to expand to more locations. Our dedication to transparency, quality, and accountability ensures that we can make a meaningful impact on climate change, one tree at a time.
