Partners collaborate on large-scale native tree project

Woodside and Greening Australia are collaborating to undertake large-scale, native tree planting projects that will generate quality carbon offsets. Having signed a heads of agreement, the partners will assess the environmental and economic viability of large-scale opportunities to create carbon offsets and improve biodiversity across Australia.

With Greening Australia’s 37 years of experience in landscape restoration and Woodside’s capacity and knowledge in developing projects at scale, the partnership aims to overcome barriers to a sustainable carbon market that will maximise benefits to the environment, communities and the economy.

The first phase of the agreement will involve native tree planting across up to 5000 hectares, mainly in Western Australia.

Woodside CEO Peter Coleman said the HOA represents significant progress towards generating quality carbon offsets to support Woodside’s growth plans and further position Woodside as a sustainable company in a lower-carbon future.

“At Woodside we are working to reduce our emissions, investing in innovation and technology and building an offset portfolio which will also deliver value to regional Australia,” Coleman said.

“Greening Australia and Woodside share aligned values and aspirations to identify opportunities on a sustainable basis to sequester carbon in the Australian landscape.”

Greening Australia CEO Brendan Foran commented, “Landscape-scale native tree planting projects are a proven way to achieve carbon sequestration, and our biodiversity-focused and science-led approach delivers a range of other positive benefits. We welcome the collaboration with Woodside for its potential to maximise nature-based solutions for the environment, community and economy as part of developing a sustainable carbon market.

“Building strong partnerships is vital to our work in tackling Australia’s biggest environmental challenges. We have a track record of working successfully with companies who, like us, are solution-focused and ready to embrace new ways of working to create a sustainable future.

“Proactive commitments from large organisations like Woodside are crucial for taking us a step closer towards a lower-carbon economy and achieving our vision of healthy and productive landscapes where people and nature thrive,” he said.

Image caption: Greening Australia's CEO Brendan Foran. Image credit: Annette Ruzicka.