Climate change is a global challenge that requires urgent and effective actions. As the effects of global warming become more evident, it is essential to find solutions that help reduce carbon dioxide (CO) emissions.2) in the atmosphere. In this sense, massive tree planting has become a promising strategy to combat climate change and mitigate its impacts.
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Trees play a crucial role in climate change mitigation due to their ability to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. During this process, trees absorb CO2 and release oxygen, making them natural carbon sinks. Additionally, reforestation of deforested or degraded areas can help restore ecosystems and promote biodiversity. According to a study published in the scientific journal Science, massive tree planting could reduce up to two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities. This study highlights the importance of increasing the number of trees on our planet as an effective and economical measure to combat climate change.
Also research carried out by the Swiss University ETH-Zurich reveals that there are approximately 1.7 billion hectares of treeless land around the world that could be used for mass tree planting. These areas represent approximately 11% of the Earth’s surface and could support around 1.2 billion native and endemic trees. To determine the most suitable areas for reforestation, the researchers used satellite images from Google Earth and considered factors such as topography and climate. The result was a global map that identifies the areas with the greatest potential for tree planting. Countries such as Russia, Canada, China, the United States, Brazil and Australia are some of the places with the greatest capacity to host these large-scale reforestation projects.
Benefits of planned reforestation
Planned and professional reforestation not only contributes to combating climate change, but also provides additional benefits. By increasing forest cover, the conservation of the biodiversity and natural ecosystems are protected. Trees help prevent soil erosion, filter water, regulate temperature and provide shade. In addition, reforestation generates a positive social impact by boosting employment and revitalizing rural areas. An example of a successful initiative is “Green Engine”promoted by the Repsol Foundation in collaboration with the Sylvestris Groupunder the motto “Sowing future for all”, their main objective is to recover burned, abandoned or disused land in Spain and Portugal. The purpose is to convert them into new forests that can absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, thus contributing to progress towards carbon neutrality.
Mass tree planting is an effective and natural strategy to combat climate change. Increasing the number of trees on our planet can help reduce CO emissions2restore ecosystems and promote biodiversity.
This planned and professional reforestation project stands as a natural ally in the fight against global warming and the protection of biodiversity. Additionally, it helps combat desertification and ensures the resilience of our forests. At the same time, it generates local and inclusive employment and offers training programs to improve employability and promote entrepreneurship in rural areas, helping to establish population in this environment.
In the words of Enrique Enciso, founding partner of Grupo Silvestris, “Spain has great potential to become a European benchmark in CO absorption2. We have an advanced forestry industry and vast tracts of land. Of the 25 million hectares of forest in the country, approximately nine are currently without trees. “This represents an opportunity to generate wealth in rural areas and, at the same time, offset emissions.”.
“Green Engine” promotes the emerging voluntary carbon market, where companies can obtain carbon credits in exchange for financing sustainable projects. Javier Torres, director of Repsol Social Impactnotes that “more and more companies are committed to the fight against climate change with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality and generating a triple positive impact: social, environmental and economic. The development of qualified and certified forestry projects is key to achieving these objectives , and in Spain, the reference is the Registry of the Spanish Office of Climate Change (OECC) where we register all our forestry projects”.
The project “Green Engine” is already underway in Spain and Portugal, with a presence in communities such as Extremadura, Asturias, Galicia, Madrid or Castilla y León, and has the support of Public Administrations, such as the Junta de Extremadura and the Government of the Principality of Asturias, as well as companies such as Banco Santander or Caja Rural de Zamora, among others. This program manages all phases of reforestation from the design and planting of forests with native species, the preparation of the land, to the monitoring, tracking and control of CO absorption2. In addition, the most innovative technologies are applied throughout the forestry process, from the early phases of the plants to increase their growth, to the monitoring of the growth of forest masses and the prevention and detection of fires thanks to satellite technology together with its Hispasat partner.
Planned and professional reforestation, using native species, is essential to guarantee the success of these projects.
However, it is essential to take into account the importance of using native species in reforestation projects. Native species are adapted to the local climate and conditions, allowing them to thrive and contribute to the balance of the ecosystem. In contrast, the introduction of exotic species can have a negative impact on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Leave your mark
We can all contribute to the fight against climate change through reforestation. Sponsoring a tree or participating as a volunteer in tree planting projects are concrete actions that can make a difference. Additionally, there are numerous organizations and programs that promote reforestation and provide opportunities for people to get involved.
Thinking of private citizens, or self-employed people and SMEs who also want to calculate and mitigate their carbon footprint but do not have access to large reforestation projects, Fundación Repsol makes its digital tool available to them. Green Motor Marketplace. An initiative that allows you to contribute voluntarily to the development of forests in Spain, as well as generate training and employment opportunities.
Users, through the Marketplace website, will be able to calculate their annual carbon footprint based on their lifestyle and consumption habits, or calculate the emissions from their day-to-day activities, such as meetings, meals or trips. In addition, it has a special section for calculating the carbon footprint of professional events. Once the online calculation has been made, citizens can choose, voluntarily, to make their contribution and choose how many trees they want to mitigate (totally or partially) their carbon footprint, selecting which forest in Spain they want to contribute to.
Thanks to this, the compensation of CO emissions2 It stands as a key tool to strengthen the ecological transition process that should lead us to a decarbonized economy.