83,824 trees planted in Madagascar | Ciel Textile Website

From helping to clean our water to providing food and shelter, relieving our stress, and promoting jobs, the benefits of trees to people and the environment are numerous. In addition to releasing clean oxygen for us to breathe, trees play a critical role in removing air pollutants and greenhouse gases from atmosphere.  

From 1980 to 2010, Madagascar has severely been impacted by natural calamities, causing ecological, social and economic damages to the island. Consequences were dire: high poverty rates, food insecurity, endangered species losing their habitat and the soil becoming infertile, among others.   

That was until a group of passionate individuals decided to take matters into their own hands. Here’s how our teams at AQUARELLE, FLOREAL and TROPIC Madagascar planned on participating to the resolution of this problem, through a yearly reforestation program – Act for our Environment. Reforestation is an effective way to reduce and capture carbon emissions. It is also creates a balance in ecosystems by restoring habitats for various species, thus promoting biodiversity. Reforestation, along with other nature-based solutions, has other various benefits: it can help mitigate climate change, improve air and water quality, enhance soil heath. 

CIEL Textile’s reforestation campaign started small, but it quickly gained momentum as more employees became aware of the devastating effects of deforestation. Soon, the entire community was involved in the campaign. 

The Act for our Environment program 

Launched in 2018, the Act for our Environment program is the driving force of the group with regards to fostering change in our environment. Every year, our colleagues from the different business units in Madagascar come together to make a positive impact on our planet. 83,824 trees have been planted in 2023! 

Key facts and figures: 

• 40,000 trees have been planted in February 2023 by FLOREAL Madagascar teams. More than 200 employees and almost 300 inhabitants from the different surrounding communities (ANTSAHASOA, MAHANDRAZA, AMBALAMANITRA, AMBOLO and AMPETSAPETSA) participated in that campaign. 5,000 plants were also distributed to employees. 
  What’s next? An evaluation has been done by the Ministry of the Environmental and Sustainable Development of Madagascar, and quarterly visits and monitoring have been set up since day 1 by FLOREAL Madagascar Sustainability team. 

• 43,000 trees have been planted in March 2023 by AQUARELLE Madagascar teams. 1,200 employees, accompanied by volunteers from Eden Reforestation project - a non-profit NGO that works in developing countries to rebuild natural landscapes destroyed by deforestation - took part in the reforestation of the following areas: Antananarivo Ambohidratrimo, Fokontany. 
  What’s next? An evaluation has been done by the Ministry of the Environmental and Sustainable Development of Madagascar, and quarterly visits and monitoring have been set up since day 1 by AQUARELLE Madagascar Sustainability team. 

• 824 trees have also been planted, in March 2023, in Andramasina by TROPIC Madagascar teams, with the participation of 38 employees and 5 volunteers from BONDY, a social enterprise that operates in the field of reforestation in Madagascar.  
  What’s next? The follow-up of the plants will be ensured by BONDY teams for the coming 5 years to reach the 100% survival rate. 

The Act for our Environment campaign is not just about planting trees - it is also about educating people about the importance of sustainable living and preserving the environment. Employees and inhabitants of the surrounding communities are encouraged to create a sustainable ecosystem that benefits both humans and the environment. It is not only about bringing back forests, but it is also an inspiration for other communities around the world, showing that together, we can make a positive impact on our planet! 

#ForAWorldWeCanAllFeelProudOf #ActForOurEnvironment