Our commitment to planetary health

Supporting carbon capture through local oak tree planting

As the world faces escalating climate challenges, we at the International Centre for EdTech Impact see it as our priority to contribute to positive environmental impact of all our activities. That includes our initiatives around environmentally-friendly EdTech solutions and it also includes taking daily meaningful actions to reduce our carbon footprint. In autumn 2024, we partnered with Trefadder.no, a Norwegian organization dedicated to climate-positive afforestation, to plant young oak trees near Lyngdal in southern Norway. This initiative represents a significant step towards sustainability, enhancing both local ecosystems and global carbon capture efforts.

Why Oak Trees?

Oak trees are a remarkable choice for long-term carbon sequestration. These robust, long-living trees play a crucial role in capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. As they grow, oaks sequester carbon in their biomass—trunks, branches, leaves, and roots—and in the surrounding soil. This carbon storage capacity increases as the trees mature, making them a vital asset in the fight against climate change.

Unlike faster-growing species often used in short-term afforestation projects, oak trees offer enduring benefits. Their slow growth and dense wood structure enable them to store carbon for centuries, well beyond the average life span of many other tree species. Additionally, oak forests support biodiversity by providing habitats for various species, thereby fostering resilient ecosystems.

The Trefadder-approach

Trefadder.no exemplifies responsible forestry. Their climate forests, including the new oak grove in Lyngdal, are meticulously planned to optimize carbon capture and promote ecological diversity. Every tree planted is part of a broader effort to combat climate change while also providing economic benefits to local communities through job creation.

The organization's work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 15 (Life on Land). Trefadder's forests are certified climate contributions, ensuring that each tree planted contributes effectively to global carbon reduction goals. Their commitment to 100% traceability from seed to forest underscores their dedication to long-term environmental impact.

Long-term positive environmental impact

Supporting oak tree planting is more than a gesture of goodwill; it is an investment in our planet's future. Just like research and impact - oak trees represents the long term. As these oaks grow, they will continue to absorb carbon dioxide, offsetting emissions and helping to mitigate climate change for generations. By choosing to support Trefadder's initiative, the International Centre for EdTech Impact is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and inspiring others to consider how local actions can have global implications.

Our support of Trefadder is one of several actions we take to positively impact the environment. We all need to make better climate-friendly choices in our everyday life. For us this includes saying no or significantly reduce international flights, and do more online meetings and webinars. We use our laptops and phones way longer than the usual three years. We recycle and participate in regular coast-cleaning activities. We are one of the first advocates for environmentally-friendly policies for K12 Edtech (see our 2024 report). In 2025, we will officially launch the Environmental impact certification with Eduevidence.org.

Photo: trefadder.no

Photo: trefadder.no