What we do Sustainability Lifetime carbon neutral Carbon capture through forests

Using trees to capture historical CO2

We are using trees' unique abilities to capture CO2 from the air. This is one of the most effective carbon capture methods and it is as old as time itself.

Trees filter carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis, converting this primarily into carbon and oxygen. The carbon is trapped in the physical structure of the tree and the excess oxygen is released back into the atmosphere. Established natural forests do this to a much greater extent, so while it is important to plant new trees, it is also vital to protect our existing carbon rich environments.

Protecting the world’s most carbon-rich and biodiverse forests

Forests have the greatest potential for capturing carbon and are vital in this fight against climate change and nature loss. But they are under constant threat from environmental changes, agriculture, logging and urban development.

It’s not just about a reduction in the number of trees that remove carbon from the atmosphere, but also the destruction of complex carbon-rich ecosystems that have built up over millions of years. The world’s most carbon-rich and biodiverse forests must be protected and restored.

Uganda forest project
Partnership with WWF

Working with WWF

We are working with experts from WWF because they know where new forests are needed and where old ones should be preserved. We are currently identifying and selecting new forest conservation projects around the world that will have the greatest positive impact on people, nature and climate. We expect to communicate where the remaining forest projects in our portfolio are located in 2023. The partnership will identify forest projects in tropical forest landscapes with high biodiversity value. The projects will protect and restore vital natural habitats, and capture the carbon equivalent of what the VELUX Group will have emitted in its lifetime.

Read more about our work with WWF

First forest project in Uganda

Our first forest project initiated to capture carbon is located in Uganda. The project aims to restore degraded forests, plant new trees and protect the existing natural forests through a range of initiatives. It is expected that the forest project will capture 1 million tonnes of CO2.

The project in Uganda spans approximately 28,000 ha in the Ugandan part of one of the world's most biodiversity hotspots, the Albertine Rift, which stretches over six countries in East Africa. This area is severely affected by deforestation due to the need for farmland, timber, and charcoal. Kagombe in Uganda is one of the worst affected areas and has seen a deforestation rate of 73% in the past decade. The project is in the implementation phase, and so far more than 100,000 trees have been planted. In 2023, more forest projects will be initiated and managed by WWF around the world to capture carbon and reduce nature loss.

Uganda forest project
Uganda forest project

Strong benefits for biodiversity and people

Together with WWF, we aim to ensure that the forest projects deliver strong benefits to both biodiversity and people for years to come. From the outset, this long-term partnership, which enables us to become Lifetime Carbon Neutral, aims to halt the crucial habitat loss and degradation that is threatening global forests and species vital to the health of our planet.

Forests in tropical areas

Based on WWF’s expertise, the forest projects are located in tropical areas, because they have the biggest impact in capturing our lifetime emissions – absorbing up to eight times as much CO2 as other forest projects. Such forests also helping to address the dual global challenges of climate change and nature loss – the hidden crisis.
Uganda forest project