Introducing Ecologi

We’ve partnered with Ecologi to facilitate tree planting around the world. A gift that’s zero waste and climate positive? What’s not to love!

Sometimes it feels as though there’s little we can do, as individuals - outside of some lifestyle changes - to contribute to climate crisis solutions. While tree planting is not the answer to the climate emergency, it is a nature-positive gesture that goes a little way to improve things. We are delighted to be working with Ecologi, helping to restore the planet by planting trees and reducing carbon polution.

Ecologi’s goal is to reduce 50% of global CO2 emissions by 2040 and, alongside its partners, to plant a billion trees – which may not be as crazy as it sounds.

What is Explore doing?

We’ve partnered with Ecologi to plant a tree for every customer as they join our Platinum loyalty club (once

they’ve done ten trips), as a nature-positive way to say thank you and reward their loyalty.

As a BCorp certified organisation that is transparent across all areas of its work, Ecologi is exactly what we look for in a partner. They provide detailed information on each project, keeping us updated with planting status, and providing targeted SGDs.

So far we’ve planted 11,894 trees - one for every one of our Platinum loyalists - with many many more to come.

Does this help offset the emissions of my trip?

No. This isn’t a way of offsetting any of our business emissions. Until they are several years old, the baby trees being planted are not mature enough to sequester carbon in large quantities – and those verification programmes which do exist often will not verify carbon removal from trees until they are around 10 years old. These trees aren’t seen as contributing towards offsetting your footprint (which is done using verified carbon credits via Climate Care). It’s purely part of the puzzle in taking steps to create a positive impact while we can.

How does it work?

The trees planted by Ecologi can seem very low-cost. How can they manage this? The answer is, in part, huge economies of scale. The trees are grown from seed taken from their established forests and a large proportion of the trees are mangroves, which are easy and low-cost to grow. Planters are from the local communities and paid a monthly wage with paid holiday, and at least 10% of each forest planted will be agroforestry species (fruit and fodder trees) that will provide a sustainable income for the community.

What sort of trees are they, and where are they planted?

Many different tree species are planted - we’ve committed to planting different types of tree and in different locations, so definitely no monocultures, which stifle the natural diversity of ecosystems and contribute to soil degradation and biodiversity loss. The most commonly planted trees are mangroves. Mangrove trees capture up to four times as much carbon per acre as tropical rainforest. Three quarters of tropical fish also rely on their root systems for nurseries and shelter.

So far, Explore’s trees have contributed to the following projects: Mangrove planting in Madagascar, forest restoration in Kenya, forest gardens in Uganda, Responsible planting in Nicaragua and Reforestation projects in Mozambique.

What sort of trees are they, and where are they planted?

Want to contribute?

You can sign up for a monthly plan to plant trees – at home or abroad – and give nature a helping hand. A ‘helper’ plan, ideal for an average British citizen, costs just £4.70 per month.

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