OMV Petrom contributes 4.6 million euro to the largest privately funded forestation initiative in Romania

• 1,500,000 seedlings to be planted during the next three years within “Romania plants for tomorrow” campaign
• The campaign runs in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests and six environmental NGOs
• „Romania plants for tomorrow” supports three goals of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development    

OMV Petrom, the largest energy company in Southeastern Europe, supports the largest privately funded forestation initiative in Romania. The forestation activities will be organized by six NGOs known for their contributions to environment protection: Act for Tomorrow, Mai Mult Verde, Plantăm fapte bune în România, Pădurea Copiilor, Viitor Plus, and Asociația Parcul Natural Văcărești. The Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests will provide forestry specialists and local expertise during the tree planting campaign.

Within the project “Romania plants for tomorrow”, approximately 1,500,000 seedlings will be planted on 300 hectares in the next three years. OMV Petrom, in partnership with the NGOs and the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests invites volunteers to sign up on www.taraluiandrei.ro, in order to take part to the planting sessions to be organized starting this spring in 22 locations. The scheduling and the locations of the planting sessions will be found on www.taraluiandrei.ro.

Christina Verchere, CEO OMV Petrom: “The climate change debate has gained momentum and, as an energy company, we aim to be part of the solution. In addition to addressing this in our own operations, we have a long history in supporting relevant causes for Romania, from health to education and environment. We have planted more than 700,000 trees so far, in the past 10 years and we strongly believe that such projects can make the difference for a better life.”

The planting campaign aims to help those communities affected by landslides, planting being a real solution to prevent water retention in soil, flooding and soil drying.

At the same time, planting contributes to carbon dioxide capture, forests being considered the most important storages of carbon dioxide, making them a key element of nature-based solutions to climate change. It is estimated that each planted tree could neutralize 5.5 kg of carbon dioxide on average per year.  

“Romania plants for tomorrow” will take place for the next 3 years, with activities each spring and autumn. This year, the planting will begin on March 7. For the entire year, the planting will cover 24 locations in 16 counties, on a total area of over 100 hectares.

Starting 2008, OMV Petrom has planted more than 700,000 trees on an area of 140 hectares, becoming one of the biggest promoters of planting activities among the private sector. Over time, the campaigns benefited from the support of employees and over 3,000 volunteers who chose to contribute in order to protect and grow the forests of Romania.

All those who wish to contribute to nature protection can sign up to volunteer on www.taraluiandrei.ro

This campaign contributes to supporting three goals of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development: (13) Climate action, (15) Life on Land, and (17) Partnerships for the Goals. 

For more information about planting activities and the corporate social responsibility programs developed by OMV Petrom please check out https://www.taraluiandrei.ro/.