{"id":6894,"date":"2021-10-06T18:55:35","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T16:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/2021\/10\/06\/baeume-pflanzen-co2-kompensieren-was-du-dabei-beachten-solltest\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T15:42:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T14:42:19","slug":"baeume-pflanzen-co2-kompensieren-was-du-dabei-beachten-solltest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/en\/baeume-pflanzen-co2-kompensieren-was-du-dabei-beachten-solltest\/","title":{"rendered":"Plant trees to offset CO2 | 6 trustworthy organisations & some important tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is one thing that is now certain: in order to achieve the climate protection goals, we must not only reduce our CO2 emissions. But also filter existing CO2 out of the atmosphere<\/a><\/strong>. To this end, ideas for a wide variety of technical solutions have emerged in recent years. From gigantic solar mirrors in space<\/a><\/strong>, to huge CO2 extractors<\/a><\/strong>, to the widespread application of weathered rock<\/a><\/strong>. The most natural way to compensate for CO2 is actually obvious: plant and preserve trees to naturally offset CO2.<\/strong> For years, there have therefore been a growing number of projects that plant trees on a large scale all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What sounds right and natural in theory is often not quite so simple in reality. Not every tree planting project is equally sustainable and trustworthy. In this article, we show you what you can look out for in your CO2 compensation by planting trees. And we give you a few recommendations for trustworthy organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHY ARE NOT ALL TREE PLANTING PROJECTS EQUALLY GOOD?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Nahaufnahme
\u00a9 Mali Maeder | Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The absorption capacity of CO2 is basically dependent on two factors: the age and the type of trees<\/a><\/strong>. This has to do with the fact that they store CO2 in the form of carbon, during photosynthesis, in their wooden bodies. The larger and older the trees are, the more CO2 they have absorbed from the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that trees can only absorb a significant amount of CO2 from the atmosphere when they reach a certain age. For example, to absorb one tonne of CO2, a beech tree has to grow for about 80 years<\/a><\/strong>. Many tree planting projects promise to plant trees, but do not guarantee the sustainable cultivation of the forest areas<\/strong> or the replanting of dead trees – because this is the only way to sustainably compensate for CO2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A criticism of projects such as Plant for Planet<\/a><\/strong> (which plants forests for Bitburger, L’Oreal, Rewe or Ritter-Sport, among others) that has become more frequent in recent years is the non-transparent record of planted trees, which in some cases also includes dead saplings or areas that cannot be used at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another important aspect that not every tree planting project takes into account is sustainable local development. This is because social standards <\/strong>and the question of whether the trees planted promote the local ecosystem are also central to the meaningfulness of the projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR IN TREE PLANTING INITIATIVES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Frau
\u00a9 Dmitry Dreyer | unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One relevant criterion you should look for when choosing a tree planting initiative is transparency<\/strong>. Ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n