What is Generation Forest Project?
Generation Forest is where net zero meets nature positive. This project builds Generation Forests that are permanent, productive, and rich in biodiversity to capture carbon. It encompasses reforestation, cattle land conversion, regeneration, native species planting, management, carbon-focused forestry, permanence, and ensuring that carbon is sustained in productive forests. With over 10,000 hectares reforested and more than 30 years of on-the-ground experience, the project specializes in native species, making each forest a living testament to sustainable environmental practices.
Main Benefits of Generation Forest
Key figures and facts highlight why Generation Forest is recognized as an important nature-based solution:
- Size and Scale: Projects range from 277 ha for FILO DEL TALLO to 2,368 ha within THE GENERATION FOREST COOPERATIVE.
- Carbon Sequestration: Each hectare sequesters over 1,000 tonnes of CO₂e, supporting significant climate action.
- Community Impact: The initiative creates jobs, promotes gender equality, and reduces poverty in marginalized rural communities.
- Biodiversity Boost: Restored tropical landscapes serve as habitats, supporting the return of species like jaguars and pumas.
- Long-Term Sustainability: The carbon benefits extend even after the crediting period through sustainable timber use and active replanting.
Narrative Behind the Forest Journey
The story of Generation Forest is one of ambition and dedicated natural restoration. In projects like JULIUS BÄR, with 510 ha in total and 350 ha net reforestation area starting in 2024, the transformation of landscapes is a carefully crafted strategy. Positioned as a critical buffer bordering the Indigenous territory Emberá Wounaan, the forest not only sequesters carbon but also protects existing natural forests. This careful balance of reforestation and sustainable management creates an ecosystem where nature and community coalesce to support one another… it’s truly an inspiring journey.
Innovative Approach: Carbon-Focused Forestry
Generation Forest stands out by focusing on a concept that integrates traditional reforestation with innovative carbon-focused forestry methods. The implementation of the Corporate Carbon Concession (CCC) provides forward-thinking companies a long-term pre-purchase of carbon credits that ensures a stable supply of high-quality credits for decades. After the crediting period, permanent forest cover continues to be maintained. Unlike conventional carbon projects, the approach relies on the responsible harvesting of timber combined with both active replanting and natural regeneration, ensuring that forests do not lose their carbon benefits. This unique strategy underlines why carbon-focused forestry is advancing sustainable forest management.
Sustainable Management and Social Impact
Beyond the environmental benefits, Generation Forest projects bring a powerful social impact. The projects create formal jobs, invest in community training, promote gender equality, and reduce poverty among marginalized rural communities. By integrating advanced monitoring systems, satellite imagery, and data analytics, the project keeps track of forest growth, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. For instance, the NURSERY project, operating within the Emberá community of Piriatí since 2019, produces up to one million native seedlings annually, highlighting the simultaneous boost to local economies and sustainable practices. The sustainable extraction of timber further provides long-term jobs and income, ensuring local communities have tangible benefits that reduce the temptation for deforestation.
Project Impact on SDGs
- SDG 13 – Climate Action: By sequestering over 1,000 tonnes of CO₂e per hectare, the forests directly support global climate goals.
- SDG 15 – Life on Land: The restoration and preservation of biodiverse ecosystems protect endangered species and promote habitat connectivity.
- SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: The creation of jobs and sustainable livelihoods enhances local economic conditions.
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Social benefits include promoting gender equality through inclusive employment and community empowerment.
- SDG 1 – No Poverty: Investments in local communities and poverty reduction strategies contribute to improved living standards.
Looking Forward: Transforming Landscapes
Projects under the Generation Forest concept continue to inspire further climate and restoration efforts. FILO DEL TALLO, with its 277 ha total and 198 ha reforestation area starting in 2023, and the reforestation within the Panama Canal Watershed—located in an ecological zone vital to one of the world’s most important trade routes—are evidence of a long-term vision where natural systems and societal needs intersect. The Hamburg-based GENERATION FOREST COOPERATIVE enables global members to invest in sustainable reforestation projects that combine climate, biodiversity, and social impacts with sustainable financial returns. This holistic vision ensures that the benefits extend beyond the expected, nurturing natural regeneration and serving as a model of permanence. The combination of careful management, innovative approaches, and a strong focus on both environmental and social spheres positions Generation Forest as a leader in global restoration initiatives. By fostering resilience across diverse landscapes and communities, Generation Forest not only cultivates forests but transforms lives and landscapes for a more sustainable future.
