1t.org, Backed by World Economic Forum and Salesforce, Launches Canadian Chapter to Boost Reforestation

Canadian companies including Manulife, Teck Resources, TELUS, tentree, and veritree have committed to participating in the new chapter

Today, the World Economic Forum launched the 1t.org Canada chapter. The new chapter will support Canada’s ambitious conservation goals and the government’s 2 Billion Trees Commitment.

The Canadian chapter is the seventh geographic focus area for 1t.org, a global movement co-founded by the Forum and Salesforce in 2020. 1t.org brings together governments, businesses, organizations, and individuals to collaborate in conserving, restoring, and growing 1 trillion trees around the world by 2030. 

Why it’s important: Canada, which is home to 9% of the world’s forests, is currently experiencing its most severe wildfire season on record. About 11 million Canadians and 70% of Canadian Indigenous communities are located on or near forested lands, and the Canadian forest sector is a major contributor to Canada’s economy. The sector:

• Provides income for local workers in 2,400 communities
• Contributes $25.2 billion to nominal GDP
• Supports more than 300 forest-reliant communities
• Employs more than 200,000 Canadians, including approximately 12,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people 

Driving the news: 

• The World Economic Forum and the 1t.org Canada Leadership Council are leading this effort and providing expertise to pledging companies to help meet forest conservation and restoration pledge goals.
• TELUS, Teck Resources Limited, Manulife, tentree, and veritree serve on the new 1t.org Canada Chapter Leadership council, and have collectively pledged a total of over 1 billion trees.
• This commitment represents a significant impact in support of the Canadian government’s 2 Billion Trees Program, which launched in 2021 and partners with provincial governments, Indigenous communities, and businesses to remove 2 trillion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually and plant 2 billion trees by 2031.

Fast facts:

• At the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15 in 2022, the Government of Canada made an initial pledge of approximately 19 million hectares through federal programs by three departments that support on-the-ground landscape and ecosystem restoration activities, including its 2 billion trees commitment.
• In 2021, Salesforce partnered with One Tree Planted to grow and conserve 500,000 native trees in British Columbia to support the Nazko First Nation Territory’s recovery from a 2017 wildfire that burned over 540,000 hectares. 
• Other 1t.org chapters and regions of focus include India, Mexico, U.S., the Amazon Basin and the Sahel.   

Soundbites:

• “Addressing the urgent challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss requires a collective global effort. The need for a new 1t.org chapter in a country ravaged by wildfires underscores the importance and urgency of cross-sector collaboration. By joining forces and leveraging technology, resources, and expertise, we can drive positive change and create a sustainable future for all.” – Suzanne DiBianca, EVP and Chief Impact Officer, Salesforce

By joining forces and leveraging technology, resources, and expertise, we can drive positive change and create a sustainable future for all.

Suzanne DiBianca, EVP and Chief Impact Officer, Salesforce

• “We’re grateful for Salesforce’s partnership and support as we scale the 1t.org movement to Canada. We must act now to address the urgent crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. 1t.org Canada provides a unique platform for diverse organizations and communities to drive science-based and Indigenous-led solutions. Together, we can make a lasting impact.” – Nicole Schwab, director of 1t.org & Nature-based Solutions at the World Economic Forum
• “Our ultimate responsibility as individuals is to ensure that the next generation has the capacity to live in the areas that we live in today. Indigenous peoples are 5% of the world’s population but hold 80% of the remaining biodiversity, so they know what works.” – Steven Nitah, the Managing Director at Nature for Justice and a member of Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation
• “1t.org Canada represents an exciting opportunity for businesses to come together in order to drive large-scale action as we work to combat the challenges of biodiversity loss, land degradation, and climate change. We have seen first-hand the power of investing in transparent, tangible impact and want to help the rest of the private sector recognize that doing good for the planet can also be good for business.” – Derrick Emsley, Co-Founder & CEO of tentree and veritree, and chair of the 1t.org Canada Council

Learn more:

• For more on Salesforce’s commitment to sustainability and 1t.org, go here
• Learn more about 1t.org Canada chapter here 
• Read WEF’s press release on the first Canadian companies pledging their support of 1t.org
• Learn more about the government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Commitment here