During the second half of 2024, Grupo Empresarial Argos will reach 20 million trees planted, establishing itself as a leading organization in the conservation of ecosystems in the country

• This milestone reaffirms the commitment of Grupo Argos, Cementos Argos, Celsia, and Odinsa to sustainability, the conservation and restoration of ecosystems, and the mitigation of the effects of climate change.
• Through its conservation and restoration programs, the organization aims to contribute to the achievement of the goals defined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, reducing threats to global biological diversity.
• The organization has developed a model that allows it to determine the native species of the ecosystems to be intervened, thus contributing to the conservation of Andean forests, tropical rainforests, tropical dry forests, and mangroves in six departments in Colombia.

The tree plantings have been carried out since 2016 as part of the sustainability strategy of Grupo Empresarial Argos and aim to contribute to the conservation and restoration of strategic ecosystems such as mangroves, tropical dry forests, tropical rainforests, and Andean, high Andean, and páramo forests in Antioquia, Atlántico, Bolívar, Sucre, Tolima, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca.

The 20 million trees will be achieved during the second half of 2024 thanks to the progress of the programs Sembrando Futuro by Grupo Argos Foundation and ReverdeC by Celsia, which have contributed to the protection of more than 63 watersheds in the country and have generated more than 4,100 direct and indirect green jobs.

“The restoration and conservation of strategic ecosystems reflect the dedication and commitment of Grupo Empresarial Argos to implementing Nature-Based Solutions to contribute to the achievement of global biodiversity and climate change goals in Colombia and all the regions where we have a presence through our businesses.”

Ana María Uribe Sustainability Manager
Grupo Argos

The trees planted are native species that directly contribute to the conservation and restoration of 22,700 hectares of forest and mangrove in Colombia, as well as to the protection of biodiversity. This milestone allows Grupo Empresarial Argos to establish itself as a leading company in the processes of restoring strategic ecosystems in the country.

Sembrando Futuro

Sembrando Futuro is an ecological restoration program by Grupo Argos Foundation that has been working since 2021 to protect and conserve degraded areas of mangroves, tropical dry forests, rainforests, and Andean forests. Its goal by 2030 is to plant 10 million native trees on nearly 20,000 hectares of degraded areas in strategic ecosystems, contributing to the capture of over 300,000 tons of CO2e and generating more than 3,700 rural green jobs.

Over 25 allies have collaborated in this restoration program, which has so far managed to plant 4.9 million native trees, restore 2,559 hectares, generate 1,630 direct and indirect green jobs, sign 225 conservation agreements, and positively impact 20 watersheds.

The success of this initiative led the program to be selected for the first cohort of projects by the global climate technology company Terraformation in Latin America, consolidating an alliance to accelerate ecological restoration processes in strategic ecosystems in southwestern Antioquia. Approximately USD 3.8 million will be invested in this initiative for the planting of 2.3 million trees over the next three years. This alliance ensures the sustainability and scalability of Sembrando Futuro and integrates it into the global voluntary carbon market.

ReverdeC

ReverdeC is a voluntary ecological restoration initiative by Celsia, the energy company of Grupo Argos, launched in 2016. It has been deployed in 51 municipalities in Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Tolima, Atlántico, and Risaralda. This initiative contributes to the conservation and restoration of strategic ecosystems and the strengthening of community nurseries in all regions where it operates, generating local employment for grassroots community organizations. ReverdeC has planted over 15 million native trees, contributing to the restoration of more than 1,000 hectares and the care of 42 watersheds.

Alignment with the Environmental Goals Defined by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Tree planting is part of Grupo Empresarial Argos’ comprehensive strategy to implement climate and biodiversity goals, as well as its commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030 and support the transition to a low-carbon economy for its businesses by 2050.

It also responds to the international call made at the 2022 Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) to halt and reverse the loss of nature.