AXA's reforestation programme takes root

AXA has launched the AXA Forests for Good programme, which seeks to help restore damaged forest ecosystems and make them more resilient to climate change.

The three-year program will be deployed on 600 of the 15,000 hectares of forest owned by AXA in France and managed by AXA IM. The global insurer will work with a consortium of partners, led by Reforest'Action, and composed of FNE, Inrae, Jura Nature Environnement, AgroParisTech and SAPN. The involved organisations will combine their environmental, social, technical and educational expertise to achieve success.

According to AXA, the Forests for Good programme has four main objectives:

• Study the impact of global warming and land artificialisation on the loss of biodiversity through measurements of the consortium's experts, who will visit the plots every quarter
• Restore the forest. After testing several restoration options, the consortium will make recommendations for species that promote the multifunctionality of the forest, such as the development of biodiversity, carbon capture and the production of biomaterials
• Strengthen AXA's leadership on climate and biodiversity issues. The insurer said practices developed through this programme can then be applied at the European level and shared with the private and public forestry sector
• Contribute to a better understanding of the role of forests. Externally, the consortium's members will raise awareness of biodiversity issues in schools using the developments in these forests. Internally, AXA will propose actions through AXA Hearts in Action and awareness-raising operations to its partners and employees

This programme builds on AXA’s global forest protection plan. Last year, AXA announced a €1.5 billion investment program to support the sustainable management of forests and the protection of biodiversity.

“We are proud to launch the AXA Forests for Good programme today with recognised experts in this field,” said Ulrike Decoene, AXA’s head of communication, brand and sustainability. “This is another important step in our commitment to protect forest ecosystems, following on from our actions in this area in 2013 against unsustainable palm oil exploitation and in 2021 for sustainable forest management. This programme is also part of our global strategy to fight global warming and preserve biodiversity.”

“The droughts and fires that occurred in France this summer are a reminder of the extent to which our forest ecosystems are exposed to climate change,” said Stéphane Hallaire, president and founder of Reforest'Action. “Given the extent of the threat, which is increasing, in addition to that of diseases and insects affecting trees, it is essential to promote a better understanding of these issues in the field and to restore diverse forests that are better adapted to tomorrow's climate. This is the purpose of the AXA Forests for Good programme, which we are pleased to support, and which brings together a number of renowned organisations.”