• The Priceless Planet Coalition adds three new restoration sites and expands six existing projects, advancing its goal to restore 100 million trees.
• The Coalition now supports 22 projects globally, with a focus on climate, biodiversity, and community impact.
• Expansion efforts include regions like the High Andes, Eastern Himalayas, and Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park.

Mastercard, alongside Conservation International and the World Resources Institute, has expanded the Priceless Planet Coalition’s restoration portfolio with three new sites and the expansion of six existing projects. This marks a significant step toward the Coalition’s goal of funding the restoration of 100 million trees globally, focusing on critical areas for biodiversity, climate action, and local communities.

The Priceless Planet Coalition, which now boasts over 150 corporate and financial partners, has extended its global reach, bringing its restoration project count to 22 sites. These projects span across Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, providing essential investment in areas with potential for significant global impact.

New Restoration Sites

Among the new locations is the High Andes, where organizations like Global Forest Generation (GFG) and Asociación de Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) lead the ambitious restoration effort called Acción Andina. This initiative helps restore native forests crucial to South America’s water supply.

“Acción Andina has already planted millions of trees in the high Andes and involved tens of thousands of local people to bring back native forests and water for the continent. We are on a mission to grow this locally-led initiative into a global movement, involving diverse communities, cultures, and sectors all united to protect and restore vital ecosystems for decades to come,” said Florent Kaiser, Global Forest Generation CEO and Acción Andina co-lead.

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In the Eastern Himalayas of India, 210 hectares of forest will be restored in partnership with ATREE. This region, rich in biodiversity and home to over 200 indigenous groups, plays a crucial role in supporting millions of livelihoods.

“Co-identifying and co-designing restoration activities with relevant stakeholders in the region will be the primary focus of our work. Biodiversity and ecosystems are inextricably linked with the wellbeing of the people in the Eastern Himalaya and landscape/ecosystem restoration is key to building resilience for nature and people,” added Sarala Khaling of ATREE.

Another significant project is underway in Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park, focusing on restoring degraded land while supporting the local ecosystem.

“We are thrilled to embark on this Forest Landscape Restoration project in Kaeng Krachan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. The National Park provides habitat for many endemic and endangered plant and wildlife species, such as Asian elephants, leopards, gaurs, and Great Hornbills, and has long been home to local communities and ethnic groups,” explained Jake Brunner, IUCN Head of Lower Mekong Sub-Region.

Expanded Projects

The Coalition is also expanding investment in six of its 19 existing sites, including Madagascar, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi. For instance, in Colombia, the Musesi restoration project supports the Indigenous Arhuaco people to restore their sacred land.
According to Conservation International, “Over 429 Arhuaco families from 14 communities have participated in growing and planting more than 700,000 trees, restoring almost 2,500 acres of land across three watersheds. This community-based approach has fostered technical skills and increased capacity for future restoration efforts.”

Ellen Jackowski, Mastercard Chief Sustainability Officer, commented on the Coalition’s impact:
“The impact that the Priceless Planet Coalition has made since its inception is a demonstration of the power of partnerships, of collaboration between non-profits, scientific experts, businesses, consumers, and local communities. Through this expansion, the coalition is doubling down and enhancing our investment in the places where we are maximizing benefits and achieving lasting impacts on climate, biodiversity, and communities.”

This expansion showcases the Coalition’s commitment to leveraging partnerships, community engagement, and science to drive climate action and biodiversity restoration globally.