In the fight against the climate crisis, forests are a vital resource. They serve as carbon sinks, biodiversity havens, and natural buffers against climate disasters. Despite their importance, forest restoration efforts often struggle to gain the technological support they need. For many on-the-ground organizations, especially those in developing regions, accessing the right technology to monitor, showcase, and scale their projects remains a challenge. The tools are often too expensive or don’t meet their specific needs, leaving many critical restoration projects unable to demonstrate their impact or gather data that could inform global efforts.
For years, the technology space for forest restoration has been largely inaccessible to those who need it most. Large-scale systems that track forest biomass, monitor fires, or ensure compliance with environmental laws are often developed by commercial entities whose primary motivation is financial return. This leaves smaller projects with few affordable options. The tools that do exist are either too costly or too complex to use, putting local communities, small NGOs, and on-the-ground initiatives at a disadvantage.
Starting in 2018, we at Plant-for-the-Planet have been developing a Forest Cloud to support forest restoration projects with advanced tools that enhance monitoring, transparency and community mobilization. As of today, almost 300 restoration projects use the Plant-for-the-Planet platform which empowers organizations and on-the-ground projects to track changes in forest biomass, collect essential data and showcase their progress using side-by-side satellite imagery. Verified non profit organizations that meet the restoration standards set by the independent Restoration Project Review Board can also receive commission-free donations through our platform..
As the Chief Technology Officer at Plant-for-the-Planet, I see Forest Cloud as more than just a collection of tools—it’s about democratizing technology. We’ve made sure that the platform is open-source, commission-free, and easy to use, enabling forest restoration projects of all sizes to thrive. Our goal is to break down the barriers that prevent smaller organizations from scaling their impact, ensuring that everyone has access to the technology they need. This effort goes beyond simply providing tools; it creates a pathway for smaller organizations to scale their impact, while maintaining transparency and accountability, without being held back by the high costs and complexities usually associated with technological solutions.
Bridging the Technology Gap with Forest Cloud
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of our Forest Cloud is its transparency. Projects can use tools like TreeMapper to gather on-the-ground data, providing a clear picture of how their efforts are contributing to forest growth. The platform allows organizations to showcase changes in biomass and offers side-by-side satellite imagery to track forest development over time. This transparency is critical in building trust with donors, policymakers, and the wider community. By making the data visible and verifiable, organizations can show the tangible impacts of their work, whether that’s bringing back forests, improving biodiversity, or mitigating climate crisis.
Monitoring is another area where technology plays a crucial role. Traditional forest management tools are often expensive and require technical knowledge that is out of reach for local communities. However, Plant-for-the-Planet’s Forest Cloud simplifies this process. With TreeMapper, organizations can collect high-quality data on forest growth and interventions and soon will be able to set up monitoring plots with minimal expertise. Project owners, for example, can track tree growth using remeasurements on their restoration areas and contribute valuable data to broader restoration efforts. This approach transforms forest restoration from a niche activity into something that can be scaled globally using science.
In addition to these digital tools, Plant-for-the-Planet conducts on-site reviews free of cost for participating projects. We send ecologists and experts to review restoration efforts in person, ensuring they meet the rigorous standards developed by the independent Restoration Project Review Board. If projects need help, advice, or do not meet the required standards, we offer support by sharing knowledge and guidance to help them improve. These expert reviews provide further validation, offering an additional layer of accountability and transparency. The combination of remote sensing, ground data, and expert verification creates a powerful system that ensures restoration projects are held to the highest standards while building trust across all stakeholders involved.
Another key feature of the Forest Cloud is its ability to address the growing challenges of forest management and compliance with environmental regulations. Tools like FireAlert and Tracer provide valuable support by offering early warnings for forest fires and simplifying the process of meeting important deforestation regulations. By leveraging remote sensing data from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), the Forest Cloud empowers local communities and small-scale producers to better manage forests, and ensure compliance with global standards, making it easier for them to participate in sustainable practices and global markets.
There are no commissions on donations made through our tools, and although standard transaction fees apply, Plant-for-the-Planet itself does not take a cut. This accessibility is essential for democratizing forest restoration. It ensures that technology does not remain the privilege of large, well-funded projects but becomes a resource for everyone working to restore forests and fight climate crisis.
At the heart of this initiative is the belief that technology should mobilize communities. Plant-for-the-Planet’s tools are designed to empower everyone—from small farmers and local NGOs to large environmental groups—to take meaningful action. By providing access to essential data, monitoring capabilities, and compliance tools, the Forest Cloud enables these communities to actively participate in and benefit from global climate action, regardless of their resources.
The collaboration with F20 amplifies this effort by linking Plant-for-the-Planet’s technology with a global network of foundations dedicated to climate solutions. Together, they are breaking down the barriers that have historically limited access to the tools necessary for effective restoration efforts.
By making technology affordable, transparent, and accessible, this collaboration fosters a more inclusive movement for climate action. It provides a model for how global partnerships and innovative technology can democratize forest restoration. This is the future of forest restoration—one where technology empowers communities globally to restore and protect our forests.