April 22, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEERFIELD, Ill. – The Caterpillar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), announced today an investment of $1 million with One Tree Planted, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through global reforestation initiatives. In recognition of Caterpillar’s more than 95-year commitment to building a better world, the Caterpillar Foundation and One Tree Planted will collaborate on tree planting engagements in 95 communities across the globe.
The Caterpillar Foundation is on a mission to help build resilient communities that thrive in a rapidly changing world. As part of its strategy, the Foundation is focused on restoring local ecosystems to help communities grow stronger and more sustainable.
“Our partnership with One Tree Planted is not just about planting trees – this is part of a larger journey contributing to restored forests, cleaner air and water, stabilized soils, improved biodiversity and more,” said Caterpillar Foundation President Asha Varghese. “From California to Brazil and South Africa to India, this work will help catalyze the importance of natural infrastructure around the world.”
Through the Foundation’s support, One Tree Planted will work with community-based watershed and conservation organizations and municipalities to ensure ecological restoration outcomes that include planting approximately 290,000 trees, restoring approximately 620 acres, and an estimated 7,000 metric tonnes of CO2 sequestered per year.
“The impact of these reforestation initiatives will be far-reaching and long-lasting,” said Matt Hill, chief environmental evangelist at One Tree Planted. “We appreciate the Caterpillar Foundation’s thoughtful vision in connecting the environment, employees and local communities to create a healthier future.”
The Foundation’s approach to sustainable natural infrastructure and support of One Tree Planted also aligns with Caterpillar’s focus on sustainability. As one of the company’s core values, sustainability represents Caterpillar’s vision of a world where people’s basic needs – such as shelter, clean water, education and reliable energy – are fulfilled.
