How we implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 4: Quality education

Genuine conservation flourishes where people experience and understand the natural world. That is why environmental education is central to our work in Peru, Canada, and Germany. In Peru, local forest guardians work hand-in-hand with neighboring communities. In Canada, we partner with Eagle Wing Tours to take school groups into the temperate rainforests of coastal fjords, giving students a firsthand look at fragile ecosystems. In Germany, our annual Wilderness Run mobilizes thousands of young people to take active steps toward global species protection.

SDG 6: Clean water & sanitation

Forests create their own rain. Every day, plants in the Amazon basin transpire 20 billion tonnes of water—20 times more than evaporates over the ocean. The rainforest literally sustains its own climate. At the same time, it acts as a massive natural filtration system, purifying rainwater as it seeps into the soil. When forests are cleared, this cycle collapses: water runs off instantly, regional water tables dry up, and drought spreads. Protecting every square meter of forest safeguards both local water security and global climate systems.

SDG 13: Climate action

Limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires urgent action. Intact forests are vital to this mission, holding as much carbon as the entire atmosphere. Once destroyed, they release more CO₂ than can be sequestered again in any realistic timeframe. In fact, deforestation and peatland drainage account for 10% to 15% of all global annual emissions. By permanently protecting forests and peatlands, we slow this warming trend through measurable, highly effective local action.

SDG 14: Life below water

SDG 14 calls for a dramatic reduction in marine pollution from land-based activities. When forests are clear-cut, heavy rains wash away nutrient-rich topsoil into local rivers. This runoff causes eutrophication, overloading ocean ecosystems with excess nutrients. By keeping watersheds forested and rivers protected, we prevent land-based runoff from polluting marine habitats.

SDG 15: Life on land

SDG 15 focuses on halting land degradation, desertification, and biodiversity loss. Preserving intact, primary wilderness prevents soil erosion and creates natural sanctuaries. From these thriving, protected cores, native biodiversity can spread outward—helping surrounding, damaged ecosystems recover from drought, flooding, and deforestation.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals

Achieving global sustainability requires strong collaboration. We build impactful civil society partnerships across the private sector to accelerate forest conservation. Our corporate partners do not just fulfill responsibility—many act as industry pioneers, providing the critical funding needed to protect ancient wilderness at scale.

SDG 10: Reduced inequalities

We operate in regions shaped by historical and structural power imbalances, a reality we actively address. Rather than imposing "Western solutions," we listen and learn through direct dialogue with local stakeholders and Indigenous communities. Through long-term partnerships, fair compensation, scholarships, and capacity-building initiatives, we actively work to dismantle inequalities—continually reflecting on our role alongside First Nations in Canada and local communities in Peru.

SDG 11: Sustainable cities & communities

We foster community-led change from the ground up. Launched in 2023, our agroforestry project in Peru combines sustainable farming, local food security, and ecological restoration to build climate-resilient rural communities. In Germany, our "My Tree – My Dresden" initiative improved the urban microclimate while deepening public awareness of global ecological connections.

SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production

We help corporate partners turn sustainability goals into tangible action. Partner companies measure their carbon footprint and offset emissions by protecting designated sections of old-growth forest. By inviting customers to contribute to these growing reserves, businesses and consumers co-create transparent, responsible production and consumption models.