🌳 Overview
Tree-Nation enables individuals and organizations to plant trees either for themselves or as gifts to others. Each tree is associated with an estimated CO₂ sequestration value.
To ensure transparency and compliance with international sustainability frameworks such as CSRD, ESRS, and the GHG Protocol, Tree-Nation applies a clear and robust CO₂ attribution model. This model defines who can officially claim CO₂ sequestration and how gifted trees are displayed, preventing any risk of double claiming.
🔍 Why CO₂ Attribution Matters
In carbon accounting, two risks must be avoided:
- Double counting
The same CO₂ sequestration being included in multiple carbon footprints. - Double claiming
More than one entity asserting ownership over the same CO₂ reduction.
While visibility of impact is important, double claiming is not permitted under recognized sustainability standards. Tree-Nation's system is designed to prevent this.
✅ Tree-Nation’s Dual CO₂ Attribution Model
Each Tree-Nation forest account includes:
- A Forest: the list of trees you have planted and/or received
- A CO₂ dashboard with two clearly separated categories
1. Claimed CO₂
This section includes only CO₂ linked to trees you have purchased yourself.
- CO₂ is fully traceable to the original order
- Recorded in the public retirement log at the moment of purchase, across all certification tiers
- Foundation and Mission trees are retired as carbon credits eligible for climate offset reporting (CDP Climate Change, CSRD ESRS E1, SBTi Beyond Value Chain Mitigation)
- Nature, Forest Gardens, and Legacy trees are retired as documented CO₂ impact suitable for biodiversity, community, and forestry disclosure (CDP Forests, CSRD ESRS E4, CSRD ESRS S3, VSME)
- Supported by documentation such as retirement certificates, project details, and audit trails
Only this CO₂ can be claimed by you as the sponsor.
2. Shared CO₂ (Symbolic Impact)
This section includes CO₂ from trees you have received as gifts from other users or organizations.
- Clearly marked as non-claimable
- Displayed for transparency and engagement only
- Cannot be included in any official carbon footprint or sustainability report
Each gifted tree is accompanied by a clear disclaimer, for example:
“These trees were gifted to you by [Sponsor]. Their CO₂ is officially claimed by them and cannot be included in your carbon reporting.”
The environmental impact is real, but the CO2 attribution remains with the purchaser.
📊 How This Appears in Your Dashboard
Your CO₂ dashboard separates both values clearly:
- Claimed CO₂
CO₂ you officially own and may report according to the tier's disclosure eligibility - Shared CO₂
CO₂ associated with gifted trees, shown for information only
This separation ensures there is no ambiguity for auditors, partners, or internal stakeholders.
📄 Certificates and Traceability
Claimed CO₂
- Recorded in the public retirement log at the moment of purchase, across all certification tiers
- Foundation and Mission: retired as carbon credits, linked to the public retirement registry, eligible for climate compliance reporting (ESRS E1, CDP Climate Change, SBTi BVCM)
- Nature, Forest Gardens, and Legacy: retired as documented CO₂ impact, linked to the same public retirement registry, eligible for biodiversity, community, and forestry disclosure (ESRS E4, ESRS S3, CDP Forests, VSME)
Shared CO₂
- May include symbolic acknowledgements
- Cannot generate certificates
- Cannot be linked to registries or offset claims
🌱 Summary
Tree-Nation's CO₂ attribution model is designed to balance:
- Regulatory compliance
- Full transparency
- Meaningful engagement for gift recipients
Only purchased CO₂ sequestration can be claimed, while gifted trees remain visible as symbolic impact without creating any risk of double claiming. Whether the claimed CO₂ is a carbon credit eligible for climate offset reporting or a CO₂ estimate for biodiversity, community, and forestry disclosure depends on the tier. See each tier's page for details.