TREEO in Conversation: Transparency and Innovation in Global Reforestation
Dr. Stefan Ferber monitoring a tree using the TREEO App.
In an German interview with the magazine MITMENSCHENREDEN, our co-founder Dr. Stefan Ferber, Executive Director of TREEO, shared valuable insights into our work and the challenges of global reforestation. The discussion highlighted how technological, social, ethical, and economic aspects must interact to enable sustainable climate protection.
Our special thanks go to Ralf Ruthardt for the insightful exchange and the opportunity to present our vision to a wider audience.
“Without Transparency, Climate Protection Remains Just a Promise”
“We must finally start measuring CO₂ removal as precisely as we measure emissions. Otherwise, climate protection remains a promise without proof,” says Ferber.
Reforestation is an effective tool against climate change, but without reliable data, trust in its impact is lacking.
“Digital systems are key to preventing greenwashing and making real progress visible.”
The Role of CO₂ Removal: No Either-Or Choice
“The debate on CO₂ removal is often ideologically charged,” emphasizes Ferber. “But it is not an either-or choice – we must drastically reduce emissions while actively removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.”
Natural solutions like reforestation are essential but should not be dependent on political frameworks or financial interests.
Technology Meets Social Responsibility
“Reforestation doesn’t happen in laboratories but in the fields of people who need to feed their families,” says Ferber. “If we fail to understand that climate protection must also be economically viable for them, it remains an illusion.”
Digital systems could help ensure that small-scale farmers are fairly compensated for their CO₂ sequestration, making reforestation a sustainable long-term solution.
“The Market for CO₂ Removal Is Still the Wild West”
“The market for CO₂ removal is currently an unregulated Wild West,” warns Ferber. “There are too many empty promises and too few reliable data points.”
“We need global standards, transparent measurement methods, and a fair distribution of responsibility.” It is crucial that climate protection measures benefit not just corporations in industrialized nations but also those implementing them on the ground.
The Future of CO₂ Removal: Responsibility, Not Indulgences
“This is not about companies buying their way out of responsibility,” Ferber clarifies. “CO₂ removal must not be an indulgence trade but part of a genuine strategy to reduce emissions and stabilize the climate in the long run.”
The full interview is only in German available: https://drive.google.com/file/d/103rmNaF_bGUfdeQk9hLJ8nX80XfY_Q8R/view?usp=sharing