Carbon offsetting and tree planting: what can trees contribute?

What does carbon offsetting mean?

Carbon offsetting generally means funding a climate activity outside the activity that produces the emissions. The project might avoid emissions or remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The term alone does not tell you the quality of the project or what the buyer can claim.

Ask what you are buying: a number of plantings, an estimate of future uptake or verified carbon credits? Each needs its own evidence.

How do reductions, removals and tree contributions differ?

A reduction lowers emissions from an activity, for example by using less fuel. Carbon dioxide removal takes CO₂ out of the atmosphere and stores it. IPCC describes removal as complementary to deep emissions reductions.

A Treesy tree contribution funds planting and care as a separate activity. It is not a verified carbon credit and cannot be deducted from an emissions inventory.

Source: IPCC: Carbon Dioxide Removal

Why does planting not offset emissions immediately?

A newly planted tree stores little carbon. Uptake develops with growth and depends on species, site, care and survival. Carbon can be released again when a tree dies and decomposes. Trees funded and CO₂ actually absorbed are different measures.

Treesy replants trees that do not survive their first three years after planting at no extra cost. A replacement starts growing from the beginning. Replanting is part of the service; future uptake remains a future outcome.

How does a footprint become a tree count?

Treesy uses a calculation assumption of 100 kg CO₂ per tree over its lifetime, giving 10 trees per tonne of estimated CO₂e. A project estimated at 8 tonnes therefore gives a suggested contribution of 80 trees. The count follows the project figures.

The 100 kg is an assumption, not measured uptake or a guaranteed minimum. The model does not yet have a validated time horizon. The calculation determines the contribution and does not demonstrate that emissions have been offset. Our methods page sets out the assumptions.

What can a company say about its trees?

Use a specific tree count and calculation basis. For a genuine 8-tonne project: “Based on the project’s estimated footprint of 8 tonnes CO₂e, we fund planting and care for 80 trees in Tanzania under Treesy’s model.” Use the actual figures for your project.

Distinguish funding from completed planting. Once trees are planted and registered, customers can see their IDs and GPS locations in their Treesy account. Report funded and registered counts separately.

Planting contributions do not make a product climate neutral. Danish rules applying from 27 September 2026 prohibit claims of a neutral, reduced or positive climate impact for a product when based on offsetting outside the product’s value chain. Describe the activity and its evidence.

Source: Forbrugerombudsmandens anbefalinger om miljømarkedsføring (2026)

What should you check before choosing a project?

Ask questions tied to the service you will receive:

• Where will planting happen, and who handles care?
• When is planting due, and what evidence arrives before and after?
• What happens if trees die?
• How are estimates distinguished from measurements?
• Are you buying planting or credits, and how is that documented?

Where can your business start?

Choose a defined product, customer contract or building project. An emissions inventory, LCA or EPD can provide the basis for a suggested tree count and price. You can also fund a tree per completed order without presenting that as a footprint calculation.

Report your emissions reduction work and tree contribution separately so customers can understand what is being funded.