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Environment
3 billion trees
3 Billion Trees

Our goal

The EU has committed to planting 3 Billion additional trees before 2030. This pledge is part of the plan to tackle the protection and restoration of nature.

To achieve this ambitious target, we need everybody on board, to plant trees and make sure that they grow over time. Tree planting requires everyone involved to work together and the success of the pledge depends heavily on grassroots initiatives. Individuals, landowners, nurseries, associations, companies, and public bodies, such as cities and regions are all encouraged to participate in the initiative. 

See here for funding opportunities

10M ha
of forest are lost in the world each year
15M extra trees
planted since 2021
15M tonnes of CO2
could be removed from the air per year by 2050

How can you help?

  • 3 billion trees
    Plant a tree

    Plant a tree or shrub, in a garden, on your balcony, in a forest, anywhere! Register your tree in the app. Organisations planting trees can report them here.

  • Trees planting activity
    Take action

    Report a planting location that has potential for new trees. See what's happening in Europe and around the world #ForOurPlanet.

  • Paved surfaces that allow soil to ‘breathe’ may be the best option for urban trees
    Get your town on-board

    Contact your town or city to ask them to plant more trees. Support and funding is available.

  • Illustration photos with recycled bags for the Commission's social media channels
    Talk about #3BillionTrees

    You can find our media toolkit here. Don't forget to tag us on X, instagram and facebook.

Why plant more trees?

  • Fight climate change
    Climate change

    A mature tree can absorb over 22 kg of CO2 per year on average. Urban green spaces also help to address the Urban Heat Island effect.

  • Clean, healthy water
    Fresh air, clean water

    Trees help reduce and remove pollution by filtering air particles, releasing oxygen, purifying water and reducing noise.

  • Provide habitats
    Biodiversity

    Attract wildlife, including pollinators, by providing nesting and hibernating spaces. Green infrastructure can connect artificial and natural areas – linking forests, farmland, wetlands – which encourages biodiversity

  • Prevent floods and droughts
    Prevent floods and droughts

    Trees stabilise river banks, regulate water flows, and retain and store excess rainwater – this also reduces flooding in urban areas.

  • Protect the soil
    Protect and restore nature

    Planting native, climate adapted species, respecting ecological principles, would have a positive impact on the EU’s 431 threatened native tree species.

  • Tress are lovely!
    Trees are beautiful

    Urban green areas in particular provide space for recreation, social exchange, educational purposes and reconnecting people with nature.

  • Make money
    Save money

    All these advantages generate economic benefits, by reducing the need to treat water and soil.

  • Better farming
    Better farming

    Trees provide shelter, protecting soil and crops from the effects of rain and wind. And farmers can supplement their income with tree-sourced products.

The right trees in the right place

Urban greening

The pledge to plant is just one part of nature conservation

This pledge will not solve the climate nor the biodiversity crisis on its own. Planting new trees is not an alternative to preserving existing trees, but a complement to broader conservation action. The Commission is taking further action to improve the quality and quantity of EU forests through the new EU forest strategy for 2030. This strategy aims to increase forest coverage in the EU whilst respecting ecological principles, and improve the resilience of forests in the EU. It includes commitments to strictly protect remaining EU primary and old-growth forests, ensure that forests are managed sustainably, and improve the monitoring of EU forests.

How is the project being monitored?

The pledge of 3 billion additional trees is carried out with a long-term planning and monitoring scheme. This will ensure that the trees are not only planted, but are also allowed to grow over time and thrive in a changing climate. The Commission will not check the planted trees but rely on a Declaration of Honour signed by the participating organisation or individual.

The European Commission is counting and monitoring the progress. It provides political and technical support, communication and labelling, while the European Environmental Agency co-operates the counting and monitoring platform Map My Tree.

The 3 Billion Trees Pledge