Representatives from Global EverGreening Alliance, One Tree Planted, Greening Australia, and AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand. Photography by Melia Wenger.
Global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, the Global EverGreening Alliance and Greening Australia will plant 25 million trees across Australia, one of the largest-ever privately funded restoration projects in the country. The project will cover approximately 20,000 hectares of land, equivalent to one-quarter of the city of Canberra in size and create habitat for dozens of endangered species. Source: Timberbiz
Establishing 25 million trees will sequester approximately 4.25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over a 25-year crediting period, equivalent to the emissions produced by 920,000 cars running for an entire year.
The large-scale environmental project is a collaboration between AstraZeneca’s global initiative AZ Forest supported by partner One Tree Planted, and the Global EverGreening Alliance’s Restore Australia program, supported by Ark2030. All on-ground activity will be delivered by one of Australia’s largest environmental restoration organisations, Greening Australia.
The establishment of 25 million biodiverse and locally appropriate trees in locations that support threatened species and habitat connectivity represents a commitment by all partners to support Australia’s recovery following the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires.
The project will harness local knowledge and provide economic opportunities for Traditional Owners and rural communities through contracted works such as seed collection, planting and long-term stewardship. It is anticipated that the project could create as many as 890 jobs across regional locations over the next five years, engaging up to 150 Indigenous and Non-Indigenous business sub-contractors, seed suppliers and nurseries.
“The devastation caused by the Black Summer bushfires this year exemplifies the need for restoration and regeneration of our local land at scale. This landmark initiative allows Greening Australia to accelerate our work replenishing native and biodiverse trees to create environmental, community and economic impact,” Greening Australia CEO Brendan Foran said.
“Following on from the federal government’s 20 Million Trees program, we are thrilled to continue delivering restoration projects of this scale with the additional support of private sector investment.”
The project will begin with the planting of 20,000 trees at Arthursleigh in the NSW Southern Highlands, supported by landholder The University of Sydney and commencing today.
Five million trees will be planted per year from 2021 in locations across Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania to reach a total of 25 million trees by 2025.
An extensive monitoring and maintenance process will be in place beyond the initial five-year planting period, working with landholders to ensure ongoing stewardship.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the scale of the privately funded project will complement Federal Government support for native habitat.
“We all have a role to play in the environment and at a time when the Morrison Government is investing $200 million in wildlife and habitat bushfire protection it is great to see AstraZeneca and partners stepping up,” Minister Ley said.
“With Greening Australia, we are exceeding the Government’s previous 20 million trees target and 25 million more from this project will ensure even more precious habitat for our native species.”
