World Economic Forum’s 1t.org, the trillion trees platform, marks a regional milestone of 396 million trees pledged by five companies and two State Governments in India
- Godrej Consumer Products Limited, Genpact, Indus Towers, JSW Group, Puravankara, Government of Karnataka and Government of Telangana have joined another 87 companies who have already pledged to 1t.org to conserve and restore forests globally.
- Corporate funding of forest restoration is crucial both for the health of the planet and the long-term success of businesses. These investments are not just acts of corporate social responsibility - they can lead to tangible benefits such as improved brand reputation, reduced operational and compliance costs and access to new markets focused on sustainability.
- 1t.org, the trillion trees platform of the World Economic Forum, reached a milestone of 396 million trees pledged in this Indian regional commitment at the Annual Meeting 2025, Davos and 549 million trees being conserved and restored in India in total (private sector and government pledges combined).
- The State Governments of Telangana and Karnataka have also announced breakthrough nature commitments, articulating jurisdictional roadmaps for nature restoration and committing to the growing of 390 million trees, along with other conserving, restoring and enabling activities.
Davos, Switzerland, 24 January 2025 – In a landmark commitment to environmental sustainability, five prominent Indian companies - Genpact, Godrej Industries, Indus Towers, JSW Group, Puravankara, as well as two state Governments: Karnataka and Telangana have pledged to protect and restore forest ecosystems through the World Economic Forum's 1t.org platform. This marks a significant regional milestone with a combined commitment to protect and restore the equivalent of 396 million trees across the country.
1t.org is a global initiative aimed at conserving, restoring, and growing one trillion trees by 2030 to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Pledges made by governments, corporations, and individuals play a crucial role in this mission by providing the necessary resources, commitment and collaboration needed to achieve large-scale impact. By bringing together diverse stakeholders around a common goal, 1t.org amplifies collective action and accelerates progress towards protection and restoration of key biodiversity hotspots globally.
“We are excited to welcome the new pledges from Genpact, Godrej Industries, Indus Towers, JSW Group, Puravankara and the Governments of Karnataka and Telangana to the 1t.org platform,” said Florian Vernaz, Head of 1t.org at the World Economic Forum. “These commitments highlight the importance of businesses and government leadership in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. Together, we can drive meaningful restoration of India’s diverse ecosystems, securing a healthier and more sustainable future for our planet and its communities."
The five private sector pledgers have outlined ambitious targets and actions as part of their commitment to 1t.org:
Godrej Consumer Products Limited: Committed to achieving a net positive impact on nature and biodiversity, particularly in water-stressed regions. The focus is on restoring 7,250 hectares of land, forests and water bodies by 2030 through afforestation and carbon sequestration initiatives. These watershed projects enhance biodiversity, capture water and boost livelihoods, recharging over 15 times the water used by the company.
Indus Towers Ltd.: Pledging to plant 1 million trees by 2027 to create a significant carbon sink for India, with a focus on community engagement. In 2024-25, Indus Towers plans to grow 250,000 trees and train 3,000 farmers across five states to enhance agriculture growth for key commodities like mango, moringa, cashew, guava and papaya, supporting local livelihoods.
JSW Group: Committed to growing 2.4 million trees in forests and mangrove ecosystems from 2021 through 2030. Efforts include conserving 6,200 hectares of forest in Odisha and grasslands in Rajasthan, as well as planting 2 million mangroves to protect coastlines and sequester carbon. JSW group also aims to grow 400,000 trees to improve air and soil quality while mitigating extreme heat risks.
Puravankara Ltd.: Investing in the growth of 1 million native trees to restore biodiversity and ecosystems. These trees are expected to sequester approximately 25,000 tons of carbon annually, supporting climate mitigation. The initiative also benefits local communities through ecosystem services like pollination, water conservation and access to Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).
Genpact: Committing USD $2 million to wildlife protection, water conservation, lake restoration, tree planting and sustainable livelihood initiatives across Hungary, India, the Philippines, Poland, and Romania. Key efforts include partnerships with WWF in the Chambal region, water conservation and resilient farming with the Watershed Organisation Trust in Rajasthan, rainwater harvesting and youth engagement in Poland and the restoration programs in the Philippines focused on mangrove planting and turtle conservation.
The State Government of Karnataka has pledged to conserve approximately 43,382 km²—an area larger than Switzerland—and to grow 50 million trees through the Neerugagi Aranya Initiative ("Forests for Water"). This visionary program focuses on restoring the balance between forests and water resources, enhancing biodiversity and improving air and water quality. It aims to strengthen sustainable water management and boost the well-being of local communities, highlighting the critical role forests play in maintaining the water cycle and environmental health.
Eshwar Khandre, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment at Government of Karnataka said: “Karnataka is proud to lead by example in addressing climate change and restoring ecosystems. By pledging to restore 50 million trees, we are committing to a greener, more resilient future for our state and the generations to come.”
The State Government of Telangana is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2047, notably by planting 340 million trees. The integrates large-scale tree planting and a holistic urban restoration plan, promoting electric mobility and renewable energy.
Chief Minister of Telangana shared: “Telangana proudly pledges to plant 340 million trees by 2030 in partnership with 1t.org, strengthening our position as a global leader in sustainability. With a vision to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, we are driving transformative initiatives in green urban development, electric mobility, renewable energy and ecosystem restoration. Telangana is committed to leading by example, shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for generations to come.”
1t.org requires all pledging companies to report on their conservation and restoration efforts to enhance quality, transparency, and accountability. Reporting will include a range of MRV tools, notably farm mapping, photo documentation, biodiversity surveys, carbon sequestration modelling and social impact assessments.
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, held in Davos and online from January 20-24, brings together global leaders to address key issues and foster partnerships. For further information, click here. 1t.org is facilitating a session “On Firmer Ground with Land Restoration”, which will be livestreamed on Friday 24 January 2025, 09:00-09:45 CET. Learn more and follow online here.
About 1t.org
1t.org, a World Economic Forum initiative, aims to conserve, grow, and restore 1 trillion trees by 2030, supporting the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It engages the private sector, facilitates multistakeholder dialogues, and promotes innovation and youth involvement to accelerate restoration efforts.
Check all our pledges on our website.
For more information
Yifan Zhang, yifan.zhang@weforum.org, Communications and Engagement Specialist at 1t.org, World Economic Forum