Background and Aims
Trees for Travel has been active in the establishment of sustainable forestry projects in developing countries since 2001. We raise the necessary funds by offering individuals, companies, governments and other bodies the means to compensate for the consumption of fossils fuels used during traveling and other activities. Most of the projects that we support are located in developing countries. The planting and management of the projects is in the hands of local organizations, NGOs and government ministries. Trees for Travel has already neutralized 170,000 tonnes of CO2 by planting more than 1.5 million trees and shrubs.
Our projects are only approved of if they actually make a difference to the local population; they have to reap the benefits too. Therefore we involve the local community during the planning and setting up phases of the project. We create employment and income that will last the term of the project (between 20-50 years). The planting, regeneration and management of forests benefits nature too: biodiversity increases and soil erosion declines. Reduced soil erosion results in less flooding, reduced loss of fertile ground and improved water quality. In this way, our projects are also contributing to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
The aims of Trees for Travel are twofold:
- Offsetting the environmental consequences of the greenhouse effect caused by air travel and other forms of energy use. This is achieved by planting and maintenance of forest, sustainable forestry and implementation of sustainable energy sources.
- Raising public awareness about the effects of travel and other energy use on climate change.