Etiko Tree Planting Program
Etiko is committed to creating a better future for all and reducing its carbon footprint. Through our partnership with WithOneSeed, we have successfully planted approximately 1,400 trees, in Timor-Leste, creating a lasting impact on the environment and empowering farmers. The journey towards a greener future is ongoing, and our tree planting program continues to grow.
What is Etiko Tree Planting Program?
Our decision to partner with WithOneSeed was driven by their strong commitment to environmental sustainability and empowering farmers. WithOneSeed operates on the principle of "Carbon in, Carbon out," planting trees to offset carbon emissions while creating economic opportunities for farmers through sustainable agroforestry practices. Their expertise, passion, and dedication have made them an ideal partner for our tree planting program.
Beyond the environmental benefits, tree planting initiatives can have a profound impact on local communities. By partnering with WithOneSeed, we are not only supporting the reforestation efforts but also directly helping farmers improve their livelihoods. Through agroforestry practices, farmers can diversify their income sources, generate sustainable revenue, and enhance food security. This collaboration fosters resilience in the face of climate change while empowering rural communities.
What role does WithOneSeed play in this?
WithOneSeed community forestry program is the first social enterprise acting on climate change through community lead forestry in Timor-Leste.
Its primary mission is to enhance the resilience of subsistence communities, foster environmental sustainability, alleviate poverty and hunger, promote open education, and foster regional partnerships.
Over the past decade, the Expand Foundation has meticulously developed the WithOneSeed program. This community participation initiative provides vital assistance to subsistence farmers in reforesting their lands. Notably, it has obtained international certification as Timor-Leste's first carbon farming program under the prestigious Gold Standard Foundation.
At its core, WithOneSeed is driven by a commitment to environmental justice, social justice, and economic justice, aligning with ten of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the program adheres to the principles outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, providing a robust framework for its work.
The program's overarching vision revolves around establishing social enterprise models that contribute to the growth of village-based economies, leveraging environmentally sustainable practices. By empowering individuals through economic means, such as earning income from the program, we enable them to make independent decisions about their own future. This approach transcends mere acts of charity or aid.
WithOneSeed is built upon four core commitments:
- Making environments sustainable.
- Ending poverty and hunger.
- Increasing education and training opportunities.
- Building regional partnerships.
Our strategy is simple yet powerful in theory and application. We not only plant trees but also sow seeds of transformative ideas. The program's innovation lies in the annual incentive payments provided to subsistence farmers who maintain the trees. These payments are made possible by selling carbon credits in the international carbon market. By intertwining cash crop cultivation with carbon-sequestering trees, we present subsistence farmers with a different equation. They can now choose a sustainable path that offers both financial returns and environmental benefits, even if it requires waiting for the trees to mature over a 20-year period.
The WithOneSeed reforestation program in Timor-Leste operates within a multifaceted context that extends beyond local boundaries. While it addresses the specific challenges faced by communities in Timor-Leste, it is also part of a global effort to combat climate change and promote sustainable practices worldwide.