Millions Of Trees Planted In Africa To Remove Carbon & Restore Soil

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The Giving Trees project is an endeavor from Cool Effect, a climate crisis non-profit organization. Farmers in Africa can choose trees to plant locally; the trees provide many free benefits to the local communities and the environment. Through the project’s work, the African farmers have planted over 28 million trees.

Cool Effect answered some questions about the Giving Trees work for CleanTechnica.

Which farmers get the trees?

Through Cool Effect’s Giving Trees initiative, implemented through the TIST (The International Small Group and Tree Planting) program, smallholder farmers in East Africa voluntarily join and plant trees on their own land. Today, more than 265,000 farmers participate, using agroforestry to restore degraded land, improve soil health, and build resilience to climate challenges like drought.

How many trees have they received?

Farmers grow their own seedlings using seeds or cuttings, often shared within their communities. Collectively, they have planted more than 28.3 million trees (and counting), creating a scalable, community-led reforestation system.

How many of the trees grow to full maturity?

Not all seedlings survive due to natural factors such as drought or grazing. However, farmers plant multiple trees and actively manage them. Trees that do survive are monitored for at least 30 years using a robust GPS-based system that tracks each tree and reports progress transparently online, ensuring accurate, verified carbon removal.

What benefits do they provide?

The project supported by Cool Effect delivers both climate and community benefits:

• Removes carbon from the atmosphere through nature-based solutions
• Distributes 70% of carbon credit profits directly to farmers
• Restores soil health, reduces erosion, and improves crop yields
• Provides food and resources like fruit, timber, and fuelwood
• Creates income opportunities and supports women’s participation
• Helps address local challenges such as nutrition, clean cooking, and fuel access.

The project’s robust GPS-based monitoring system provides absolute transparency into field operations, allowing the organization to confidently stand behind its impact while improving livelihoods.

How many more trees will be planted in the next 5 and 10 years?

While exact projections aren’t specified, the model is designed to scale through word of mouth as more farmers learn about the Best Practices in TIST, form Small Groups and begin planting trees. Growth is driven by visible improvements in their farms, carbon credit revenue, strong community participation, and ongoing support from Cool Effect.

How long do trees live and do their seeds generate more trees?

Trees are monitored for at least 30 years, though many live longer depending on the species. Farmers regularly propagate new trees from seeds and cuttings, creating a self-sustaining cycle. In many cases, seedling cultivation becomes a small business, further supporting local economies.