At the Climate Tech Convening India 2025, organized by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in collaboration with CNBC-TV18 and Climate Collective, sustainability was not just discussed—it was demonstrated through meaningful action. As part of the event's commitment to creating a lasting environmental impact, saplings were planted in an agroforestry model to honor the speakers and ensure the event’s sustainability.

This thoughtful initiative, executed in partnership with Grow Billion Trees, not only offset the event's carbon footprint but also contributed to India's net-zero emissions goal by 2070. By integrating trees into agricultural systems, the agroforestry model benefits both the environment and rural farmers. It enhances biodiversity, improves soil health, and provides farmers with additional income sources from the produce generated by these trees.

Through this gesture, the Climate Tech Convening India 2025 has set a powerful example of combining gratitude with environmental stewardship, reinforcing the role of collective action in driving India toward a greener, more sustainable future.

Tree Plantation Date

11th January 2025

Plantation Location

Jambulwadi, Taluka Karjat, District Raigad, MH 410201

Trees Planted

Total Count: 30 Trees

Species Name: Mango, Custard Apple, Pomegranate, Lemon, Fig

Forest Type: Agroforest

The CNBC-TV18’s tree plantation initiative, set within the agroforest concept, aims to plant 30 trees, each symbolizing one of the 30 speakers attending the event. Agroforestry, which integrates trees with crops, creates a sustainable and mutually beneficial farming ecosystem, offering numerous environmental and economic benefits. The trees will improve soil health, reduce erosion, enhance water retention, and stabilize the soil with deep roots. For farmers, agroforestry provides income diversification through products like timber, fruits, and nuts, alongside traditional crops, reducing financial risk. Additionally, trees serve as windbreaks, protect crops from extreme weather, and enhance soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, minimizing the need for synthetic fertilizers. The shaded environment also promotes a favorable microclimate, improving crop yields. This initiative not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also empowers farmers by promoting a resilient and diversified farming model, addressing climate change while providing long-term benefits to the land and the community.

Advantages Of Agroforest

Enhanced Income Diversification

Agroforestry enables farmers to diversify their income streams by integrating trees alongside traditional crops or livestock. Trees provide a range of products such as timber, fruits, nuts, medicinal plants, and more. This diversification reduces the financial dependency on a single crop, allowing farmers to generate additional revenue from different sources. The ability to sell tree-based products in addition to crops can buffer against market fluctuations and improve financial stability for farmers.

Improved Livelihood Resilience

By incorporating agroforestry into their farming practices, farmers become more resilient to climate-related challenges and market uncertainties. Agroforestry offers a more diversified farming model that is better able to withstand fluctuating weather patterns, pests, and diseases. For example, trees act as natural windbreaks, shielding crops from damaging winds and extreme weather conditions, thereby improving overall crop stability and farmers' resilience to environmental challenges.

Reduced Farming Costs

Trees in agroforestry systems contribute to cost reductions in farming. They improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which reduces the need for expensive synthetic fertilizers. Additionally, agroforestry helps retain moisture in the soil, cutting down on irrigation costs. Farmers also benefit from natural pest control and reduced reliance on chemical pesticides as trees can attract beneficial insects, creating a healthier, more sustainable farming environment.

Soil Health Improvement and Erosion Control

The deep-root systems of trees play a vital role in preventing soil erosion by stabilizing the soil and reducing water runoff. This natural protection is essential in maintaining soil fertility and preventing land degradation. Agroforestry helps retain moisture in the soil, making it more drought-resistant, and it enhances the overall quality of the land by providing a healthier, more balanced ecosystem for crops to thrive.

Microclimate Regulation

The trees planted as part of agroforestry systems create a more favorable microclimate for crops. By providing shade, trees can reduce temperature extremes, protect crops from sun damage, and help maintain optimal growing conditions for various crops. This shaded environment improves the overall health of the crops, leading to higher yields and better quality produce. It also helps in conserving water by reducing evaporation rates.

Long-Term Environmental Sustainability

Agroforestry practices contribute to carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees play an essential role in enhancing biodiversity and providing habitat for various species, further promoting ecological balance. By adopting agroforestry, farmers can actively contribute to environmental sustainability while benefiting from a more robust and resilient farming system.

Increased Soil Fertility

Trees in agroforestry systems help to enhance soil fertility by fixing nitrogen and returning organic matter to the soil through leaf litter and root decay. This process improves the nutrient content of the soil, ensuring that crops receive adequate nutrients for optimal growth. It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, lowering farming costs and promoting more sustainable, organic farming practices.

Increased Carbon Sequestration

One of the key environmental advantages of agroforestry is its ability to capture and store carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate the effects of climate change. As trees grow, they absorb carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass, roots, and surrounding soil. This contributes to reducing greenhouse gases in the environment and plays a vital role in global efforts to combat climate change.

Activities During Tree Plantation

During the CNBC-TV18 tree plantation initiative, all the plantation activities are carried out by farmers in alignment with the agroforest concept. The farmers play a crucial role in preparing the land, and planting the appropriate trees alongside crops, ensuring that the integration of trees and agriculture is done in a way that benefits both the environment and the farming community. The farmers focus on creating a balanced agroforestry system where trees not only enhance soil health and prevent erosion but also contribute to biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The initiative promotes sustainable agricultural practices, where the trees help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, improve water retention, and provide an additional income source through timber, fruits, and other tree-based products. This hands-on approach empowers farmers, promotes environmental stewardship, and creates long-term benefits for both the land and the local communities.

Tree Plantation Purpose

The tree plantation initiative of CNBC-TV18, executed in the agroforest concept, contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that promote environmental sustainability, community empowerment, and overall well-being. Here are the SDGs achieved through this initiative:

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

The agroforestry model implemented during the tree plantation initiative helps increase income for farmers, providing them with economic opportunities beyond traditional crop cultivation. Through diversified income sources, such as timber, fruits, and other tree-based products, farmers gain better financial security, reducing the risk of poverty. This model empowers rural communities and contributes to alleviating poverty.

2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The agroforestry concept improves food security by creating a more resilient farming system. The integration of trees into agricultural practices increases soil fertility, promotes water retention, and enhances crop yields, thus supporting farmers' ability to grow more food. Trees also provide additional sources of nutrition, such as fruits and nuts, which contribute to improved food diversity.

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

The environmental benefits of the tree plantation, such as improved air quality and reduced pollution, have direct health benefits for the community. Trees help purify the air, reduce harmful pollutants, and lower the risk of respiratory diseases, contributing to better public health. Additionally, a healthier environment promotes mental well-being, as exposure to green spaces has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall health.

4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Trees planted in an agroforest system help improve water retention in the soil, reducing the need for irrigation and promoting sustainable water use. The trees also play a role in reducing water runoff and preventing water pollution. This ensures better water management in farming systems, contributing to the conservation of clean water resources and promoting sustainable water practices.

5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

By supporting the farmers involved in the tree plantation initiative, the event helps foster economic growth within local communities. Agroforestry offers farmers additional income sources, such as timber, fruits, and nuts, diversifying their revenue streams. This economic diversification provides more stability and better livelihoods, particularly in rural areas, contributing to SDG 8.

6. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

By promoting sustainable agricultural practices, including agroforestry, the tree plantation initiative encourages responsible land use. It reduces dependency on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, lowering the environmental impact of traditional farming. The initiative fosters the production of food and products in an environmentally responsible manner, aligning with the principles of SDG 12.

7. SDG 13: Climate Action

The tree plantation directly contributes to combating climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and reducing the overall carbon footprint of the event. Trees absorb carbon as they grow, mitigating the effects of climate change. By planting 30 trees, the initiative plays a part in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and foster a sustainable environment, contributing to SDG 13.

8. SDG 15: Life on Land

The agroforest approach enhances biodiversity by creating a healthier ecosystem where trees and crops coexist. This approach promotes the restoration of degraded land, supports soil health, and helps prevent soil erosion. By planting trees, the initiative directly supports the protection and restoration of ecosystems, contributing to the health and sustainability of land-based resources.

9. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The partnership between CNBC-TV18 and Grow Billion Trees has played a pivotal role in achieving SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By collaborating on the tree plantation initiative, both organizations have combined their resources and expertise to create a meaningful environmental impact, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainability. Grow Billion Trees’ focus on large-scale tree planting aligns with CNBC's commitment to advancing climate tech solutions and fostering environmental stewardship. This partnership not only amplifies the reach of their environmental initiatives but also exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing pressing global challenges. Through this alliance, they have fostered greater awareness, encouraged collective action, and generated long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits for communities, ensuring a more sustainable future for all.

ESGs Achieved Through Agroforestry

Environmental (E)

The tree plantation initiative by CNBC-TV18, executed in the agroforest concept, plays a significant role in promoting environmental sustainability. Through the planting of 30 trees, the initiative contributes to carbon sequestration, reducing the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and helping mitigate climate change. The integration of trees into agricultural practices improves soil health, enhances water retention, prevents soil erosion, and fosters biodiversity. Additionally, the initiative supports the creation of a greener ecosystem by planting trees that provide habitats for wildlife, further improving environmental resilience. This agroforestry approach not only enhances the land's natural resources but also promotes a circular and sustainable approach to farming, minimizing the ecological footprint of agricultural practices.

Social (S)

The social impact of this tree plantation initiative is profound, particularly in empowering local farming communities. By involving farmers in the plantation process, the initiative offers them a platform to engage in sustainable agricultural practices that contribute to long-term food security and economic resilience. The agroforest concept provides farmers with additional income opportunities through timber, fruits, nuts, and other tree-based products, helping to diversify their income and improve livelihoods. Furthermore, the initiative fosters community involvement and education, raising awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable farming practices. This strengthens the social fabric by promoting collaboration between businesses, local communities, and environmental organizations, creating a sense of shared responsibility for the environment.

Governance (G)

The governance aspect of the CNBC-TV18 tree plantation initiative emphasizes transparency, accountability, and the alignment of corporate actions with sustainability goals. By partnering with Grow Billion Trees, a reputable organization focused on large-scale tree planting, CNBC-TV18 ensures that the tree plantation process is carried out in a structured, effective, and ethical manner. The collaboration reflects good governance practices by ensuring that the initiative contributes to measurable environmental goals, such as reducing carbon emissions and promoting biodiversity. Additionally, the partnership exemplifies responsible corporate behavior by prioritizing sustainability in corporate strategies and fostering transparent communication about the impact of the initiative. This reinforces the company's commitment to ethical practices and its role in achieving global sustainability targets.

Summary

The CNBC-TV18 tree plantation initiative, executed in the agroforest concept, is a purposeful event where 30 trees will be planted to represent the 30 speakers participating in the event. This initiative is designed to promote environmental sustainability while symbolizing the collective contribution and collaboration of each speaker toward a meaningful cause. By integrating trees into agricultural landscapes, the agroforestry approach ensures long-term environmental and economic benefits, including improved soil health, water retention, and increased biodiversity. The event not only aims to enhance the local ecosystem but also empowers farming communities, creating a positive impact on both the environment and society. Through this initiative, CNBC-TV18 demonstrates its commitment to sustainable practices and the importance of partnerships for achieving global environmental goals.