Where do you plant trees and why?

Why does Trace buy trees?

For every tonne CO2 that we offset on behalf of customers we also buy trees from Eden Reforestation. The CO2 sequestration from trees is additional to the CO2 offset through carbon credits i.e. if you offset 100 tonnes CO2, we buy 100 carbon credits and buy trees as an add on benefit.

We do this because trees are amazing and incredibly effective at sequestering carbon dioxide! Trees are extremely efficient at carbon sequestration and one of the most effective tools in the fight against climate change. Trees convert the (CO2) into plant matter, holding this material for the life of the tree and beyond. Studies have shown that Mangroves absorb carbon at a rate two to four times greater than mature tropical forests (Fatoyinbo et al, 2017). Mangroves absorb 3 tonnes of CO2 per year for every ten trees.

Because every tree is different, it's difficult to accurately predict how much CO2 they remove each year and therefore we can't guarantee how much carbon they offset. For the purposes of impact reporting, the carbon absorbed by trees planted isn’t taken into account because tree planting is not verified by VCS or Gold Standard. But rest assured that tree planting is audited annually and our partner has a brilliant track record of meeting the reported numbers of trees. 

Trace tree planting journey with Eden

Since 2020 Trace has been buying trees on behalf of customers from Eden Reforestation, a reputable charity with decades of tree planting experience. Over time Eden has changed its commercial model resulting in a higher cost per tree. As a result, we have changed the number of trees we buy per tonne CO2 offset (tree : CO2  ratio).

In 2025, Eden shifted its impact model beyond tree planting and no longer enables customers to buy individual trees. In response, Trace ceased donating to Eden in 2025. During 2025 Trace had a surplus of Trace purchased from Eden, so the ratio remained 1 tree per tonne CO2. From January 2026, all offsetting budget is deployed to carbon offsets.

Read more about Trace's offset and tree portfolio here.

*ratio aligned to consumer subscription product (120 trees / 21 tonnes)

Overview of Eden's evolution (in their words)

Strategic Evolution: From Tree Planting to Landscape Restoration

Over the past year, Eden has undergone a significant transformation. We've evolved from Eden Reforestation Projects to Eden: People+Planet, reflecting our shift from tree planting to comprehensive landscape restoration. This evolution was driven by our learning over 20 years that trees alone don't solve the complex challenges facing communities and ecosystems.

Most importantly, in 2025, we made the strategic decision to focus exclusively on carbon-eligible landscapes that combine philanthropic support with carbon market mechanisms. This shift ensures the long-term sustainability of our work and allows us to make 40-year commitments to communities - something impossible under traditional funding models.

Where donations go: Our Partnership Framework

Your donations have supported community-driven landscape restoration following our standardized budget framework:

• Landscape Partnership (7-10%): Stakeholder engagement, governance, and coordination with local communities and government partners
• Sustainable Livelihoods (35-37%): Community development programs, alternative income opportunities, and capacity building
• Mosaic Landscape Restoration (55-56%): Direct restoration activities, monitoring, and long-term maintenance

This allocation ensures that the majority of your support reaches ground-level implementation while building the community partnerships essential for lasting impact.

Our Methodology and Standards

Eden follows a standards-based approach guided by international frameworks:

• Community-Centered Implementation: All projects begin with Free, Prior, and Informed Consent from local communities
• Science-Based Restoration: We use indigenous species selection and natural regeneration techniques proven effective in each landscape
• Long-Term Monitoring: Projects include comprehensive monitoring systems tracking forest cover, biodiversity, and community outcomes
• Verification Standards: Our carbon-eligible projects follow Verra Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards

Current Project Portfolio

Trace's support has contributed to Eden's work across multiple landscapes. While we've closed our philanthropic-only operations to focus on carbon-eligible projects, the impact of your past contributions continues. Currently, we're implementing:

• Active Carbon Project: Rubeho Mountains, Tanzania - 394,000 hectares of landscape restoration
• Projects Under Design: Dakatcha Woodlands (Kenya), Marolambo (Madagascar), Musokotwane-Nyawa (Zambia), and Olokeri (Kenya)

The Path Forward: Multiplication Through Carbon

Under our blended finance approach, philanthropic support enables carbon project development, which then generates verified carbon credits. This creates sustainable funding that supports communities and ecosystems for 40+ years rather than the typical 3-5 year project cycles.

This means your future support doesn't just plant trees - it unlocks self-sustaining landscape restoration that continues long after the initial investment.