Amazon-backed restoration project to plant 180 million trees in South Africa

Amazon is backing a large-scale environmental restoration project targeting South Africa's Eastern Cape region, with plans to plant 180 million spekboom cuttings by 2028. The initiative seeks to restore degraded land across more than 50,000 hectares, combining ecological recovery with significant economic benefits for the region.

The project is expected to generate approximately 11,000 jobs by 2030, providing employment opportunities across the restoration process and related economic activities. Local communities stand to benefit from over $500 million through various revenue streams tied to the initiative, ranging from direct employment to broader economic activity stimulated by the project.

Spekbooms, native succulent trees known for their resilience and carbon sequestration capacity, are central to the restoration strategy. These plants are well-suited to South Africa's semi-arid regions and can thrive in degraded soils, making them ideal for large-scale landscape restoration efforts.

Amazon has committed to purchasing a substantial portion of the carbon removal credits generated through the project, linking the environmental benefits directly to climate mitigation goals. The arrangement underscores growing corporate investment in nature-based climate solutions, particularly in regions where restoration can deliver both environmental and socioeconomic returns.