1 Billion Trees By 2030

Climate change is a fact. It’s already a global catastrophe and is accelerating. Yet the ecological collapse that it can bring about is entirely avoidable, if we all work together. Krystal’s 1 Billion Tree Pledge is a bold initiative to conserve, restore or grow 1 billion trees worldwide by 2030. We’re doing this because there are currently around 3 trillion trees remaining in the world; about half the number that existed before human civilisation. Replacing some of these trees could be one of the fastest and most economical ways to help restore equilibrium. We’re doing it for future generations and to leave the planet in a better state than we found it. Krystal was created to be a vehicle for positive change. For us, benefitting the planet is more than creating an ethical brand, it’s our reason for existing. We are fully committed to this fight.

Good question! A billion is 1 thousand million. That’s a 1 with nine 0s on the end - like this: 1,000,000,000. To help you put that number into perspective and give you an idea of how much more than 1 million 1 billion is: 1 million seconds is 11.57 days. 1 billion seconds is 32 years (11,574 days!)! Yep, we’re going to be planting and protecting a LOT of trees!

The trees will be conserved, protected and planted in multiple locations around the world, including Canada, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania, United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA). Our initial commitment of 10 trees per active client will see 370,920 mangrove trees planted in Kenya in partnership with Eden Reforestation.

We intend to grow the right type of trees in the right areas using local knowledge and people. By partnering with veritree we will be able to verify over time that our efforts are providing a long-term benefit.

We will be planting and protecting multiple species of tree throughout the campaign. The first batch of trees to be planted will be Mangrove trees (Scientific studies have found that Mangroves sequester carbon 2 – 4 times greater than mature tropical forests and contain the highest carbon density of all terrestrial ecosystems). Throughout this initiative the species planted will depend on the location in which the trees are being planted. We intend to grow the right type of trees in the right areas using local knowledge and people. By partnering with veritree we will be able to verify over time that our efforts are providing a long-term benefit.

That’s a great question. The answer is yes - there’s certainly enough available land for tree planting on a massive scale. Scientists estimate that at least 1 trillion trees could be planted without impacting land needed for agriculture and urban areas.

It’s vital that the right trees are planted in the right places, but there’s still enough available appropriate land in the world for global-scale reforestation and afforestation.

‘Reforestation’ is the process of planting trees in an existing forest where the number of trees has been decreasing due to deforestation, for example. ‘Afforestation’ is when new trees are planted or seeds are sown in an area where there were no trees before, creating a brand new forest. For afforestation, it is imperative that the land is appropriate for tree planting and the species of tree contributes positively to the natural biodiversity of the area.

How much CO2 a tree can absorb - or sequester (see the next FAQ!) - depends on multiple factors, including the species and size of tree, the growing conditions and how mature it is. As you might expect, a large, fully mature tree will absorb much more CO2 per year than a young, growing sapling. A mature tree also has a much larger amount of stored carbon in its trunk than a young tree does. Different species of tree also absorb CO2 at different rates, with some being more ‘efficient’ than others. For more information, check out this fascinating blog post by One Tree Planted: https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/how-much-co2-does-tree-absorb

Nothing really. In this context, ‘absorb’ and ‘sequester’ mean the same thing and relate to how much carbon dioxide a tree absorbs - or sequesters - through the process of photosynthesis. In case you need a biology lesson reminder (don’t worry, we all do!), photosynthesis is the process by which plants take energy from sunlight and turn it into energy for respiration, growth and reproduction – allowing them to stay alive. To do this, trees absorb CO2 from the air, water from the soil and light from the sun, and turn these into glucose and energy.

There is no ‘one answer’ to tackling the climate and biodiversity crises. However, based on their size and how long they can live, trees are a powerful tool for carbon sequestration and the fight against climate change. Scientists have modelled that IN ADDITION to cutting emissions, conserving, restoring and replanting trees could be the fastest and most economical way to help restore equilibrium. When trees are planted properly - e.g. planting the right trees in the right places - they also provide a wealth of additional benefits beyond carbon sequestration alone. Keep reading these FAQs to learn more!

Beyond CO2 sequestration, trees provide multiple additional benefits to people and planet alike. Here are just some of them. Air purification: trees clean the air and provide the oxygen which humans and other species need to breathe. Temperature regulation: trees help to cool the air, which is particularly important in towns and cities that get particularly hot due to all the concrete, cars and lack of vegetation. Not to mention, of course, they also provide direct shade on hot, sunny days. Flood prevention: trees are incredible flood-defence mechanisms. This is not only thanks to how much water they consume, but also because their root systems help to strengthen surrounding soils and riverbanks. Soil quality and food production: trees help to improve the quality of the soil around them, making it more nutrient-rich and fertile for other planting activities. Furthermore, they provide us with delicious and healthy food. Mental health benefits: that’s right; trees are proven to help reduce stress and make us feel happier and more calm. They can also increase property prices and reduce crime rates. Pow!

Reforestation offers steady employment and income to local people, providing jobs as planters, forest guards and site managers, while helping to establish self-sufficient, sustainable local economies. This consistent income allows the local community to achieve greater levels of access to education, nutrition and healthcare. What’s more, the employment of the local community also fosters a deep connection between the villagers and the land. Reforesting and protecting the land encourages locals to invest in the success and growth of trees, which they begin to care for. Our partners are carefully chosen to ensure that our efforts have multiple benefits for local communities.

Even given the best possible chance, not every tree planted will survive to maturity. This is another reason why conserving existing forests while planting at scale is so important, because it becomes a numbers game. Newly planted forests are managed and protected to ensure maximum survival rates, with local people often employed as forest guards and site managers. What our partners find is that actual mortality becomes irrelevant as natural regeneration begins to occur and begins to multiply impact. Our partners also work carefully with all levels of government to secure written agreements designating the restoration sites as protected in perpetuity.

Ah, this is an incredibly complex question to answer. Any answer would always be an educated guess at best, due to the sheer quantity of trees we’re talking about, the different species and locations, and how long they all take to reach maturity. For example, studies have shown that a mangrove tree can absorb an estimated 0.3 tonnes of CO2 over its growth life. Other species are different. There’s a great article here by One Tree Planted which offers more information about the different CO2 removal rates of varying tree and forest types: https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/how-much-co2-does-tree-absorb

As part of the global 1t.org Trillion Tree initiative, we will achieve our 1 billion tree target through three principle activities, in the following order of priority; conserving existing forests, restoring degraded forests and growing new forests. We’ve partnered with veritree, the world’s only verification tool built exclusively for global restoration projects. This will make absolutely sure we’re reforesting in the right places to balance positive impact with natural biodiversity.

As for reaching the actual number of 1 billion, that’s where our clients come into it! We are going to use a "Tree Dividends" model, whereby we plant or protect a certain number of trees on behalf of all active Krystal clients (at no extra cost to them). For example, to celebrate our 1 Billion Tree Pledge, we have made an initial Tree Dividend of 10 trees per client. This equates to an initial purchase of 370,920 trees. We will continue to do this over the next 8+ years leading up to 2030, hopefully increasing the amount year on year.

Customers can head to their client area to see their very own virtual forest, which will grow as we head towards our target. Krystal clients will be able to quickly visualise the positive impact they’re having as a result of their patronage. The number of trees we plant or protect on behalf of clients will increase over time and in the future we hope to be able to include trees conserved too, as well as allow clients to add to their own forests directly.

We love the way you’re thinking! Ok so, it’s estimated that the world’s most famous rainforest - the Amazon Rainforest - contains approximately 400 billion trees. If you look at a map of the Amazon, you’ll see that it takes up a huge proportion of the continent of South America. 1 million trees take up approximately 20,000 acres of land. Times that by a thousand for a billion trees, and that’s 20 million acres of land. Based on this, a rough approximation is that a single forest of 1 billion trees would be approximately the size of the Czech Republic or the United Arab Emirates. So easily visible from space as a huge patch of beautiful green!

Reforestation offers steady employment and income to local people, providing jobs as planters, forest guards and site managers, while helping to establish self-sufficient, sustainable local economies. What’s more, the employment of the local community also fosters a deep connection between the villagers and the land. Reforesting and protecting the land encourages locals to invest in the success and growth of trees, which they begin to care for. Click this link to head to the Eden Reforestation Project website and learn more about how the trees are protected.

We encourage you to join the fight by taking individual responsibility in the areas where you can make an impact. On a smaller scale there's reduce, reuse, recycle, using green technology such as heat pumps, solar, batteries and EVs, as well as switching to a 100% renewable energy provider such as Ecotricity.

As a business you could make your workforce climate positive with Ecologi (or pay for a personal account). You could also join the Million Tree Pledge (which has with it the need to get others signed up too). Or if it's an option, even join us as part of the 1t.org Trillion Tree movement or similar international projects.

We're in a lucky position where we can think big, but small differences, particularly when made by lots of people, can also create genuine positive change. 1 billion trees seems like a lot, but we all have the power to make a difference.

If you want to help us achieve our goal of 1 billion trees by 2030, then we’d love it if you would refer us more clients - each one that uses Krystal services means more trees!

Our pledged 1 billion tree target will be achieved through three principle activities, in the following order of priority; conserving existing forests, restoring degraded forests and growing new forests. We will of course always favour the most effective and efficient way to restore our planet’s equilibrium while protecting and enhancing its natural ecosystem and biodiversity.