Mastercard expands Priceless Planet Coalition to restore vital ecosystems

USA – Mastercard, alongside partners Conservation International and the World Resources Institute, is expanding the Priceless Planet Coalition’s (PPC) global restoration efforts.

With the introduction of three new restoration sites and increased investments in six existing projects, the coalition now boasts 22 restoration initiatives worldwide, reaffirming its commitment to restoring vital ecosystems.

This expansion brings the coalition closer to its ambitious goal of funding the restoration of 100 million trees, focusing on maximizing positive outcomes for climate, communities, and biodiversity.

A global portfolio of restoration projects

The coalition’s restoration initiatives span across regions, including:

• Asia Pacific: Australia, Cambodia, China, India, the Philippines, and now Thailand.
• Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, and new projects in Ecuador and Peru.
• Europe: France, Portugal, Spain, and Scotland.
• Middle East & Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and UAE.
• North America: Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.

New projects to address climate, biodiversity, and local needs

1. High Andes, South America
The coalition is supporting Acción Andina, an initiative led by Global Forest Generation(GFG) and Asociación de Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN), to restore native forests in Ecuador and Peru.

These ecosystems, known as South America’s “water towers,” are critical for regulating moisture and glacial meltwater, which sustain rivers, streams, and urban areas, including the Amazon.

Efforts include:

• Planting and restoring native forests.
• Building water catchment systems, wells, and reservoirs.
• Conducting fire prevention training and promoting clean cookstoves.
• Providing irrigation infrastructure and literacy programs.

“Acción Andina has already planted millions of trees and engaged tens of thousands of local people to restore native forests. This partnership with the Priceless Planet Coalition allows us to scale our mission and create resilient communities and ecosystems,” said Florent Kaiser, CEO of Global Forest Generation.

2. Eastern Himalayas, India
In the biodiversity-rich Eastern Himalayas, where nearly one-twelfth of the world’s species reside, the coalition aims to restore 210 hectares of forest.

The region also supports nearly 1 billion people and is home to iconic species like the Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, and snow leopard.

However, deforestation and climate change have drastically impacted the area, with 9.5% of its green cover lost since 2000. Restoration efforts aim to:

• Revive biodiversity and mitigate climate change.
• Support local communities affected by extreme weather and habitat loss.

“Our primary focus will be co-designing restoration activities with local stakeholders to link biodiversity restoration with community wellbeing,” said Sarala Khaling of ATREE.

3. Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand
The coalition will also restore 165 hectares in Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity and home to species like the Asian elephant, leopard, and Great Hornbill.

This project involves:

• Transforming monoculture agricultural areas into thriving ecosystems.
• Enhancing biodiversity and community-managed conservation areas.
• Utilizing agroforestry, enrichment planting, and riparian rehabilitation.

“This project combines science and traditional ecological knowledge to restore degraded areas and protect wildlife. Collaboration with local communities and Thailand’s government will be key,” said Jake Brunner, Head of IUCN Lower Mekong Sub-Region.

Expanding investment in existing projects

The coalition is building on the success of six existing sites in Madagascar, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi. For instance:

• In Colombia, the Musesi Restoration Project supports the Arhuaco Indigenous people in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. With over 700,000 trees planted and 2,500 acres restored, the initiative aligns with cultural and environmental values while creating technical skills for future restoration.

Further investment will enable the planting of 2.5 million additional trees, covering 4,500 more acres and capturing 64,140 tonnes of CO₂, according to Conservation International.

Engaging communities in climate action

Launched by Mastercard, the Priceless Planet Coalition unites over 150 corporate partners to drive tree restoration worldwide.

Contributions come from consumer donation campaigns, loyalty program points, and other creative funding mechanisms.

Since its inception, the coalition has:

• Supported the planting of millions of trees.
• Restored over 600 plant species globally.
• Created 1.2 million workdays for communities.

“The coalition demonstrates the power of partnerships—bringing together non-profits, scientific experts, businesses, and local communities to achieve lasting impacts on climate, biodiversity, and people,” said Ellen Jackowski, Mastercard’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

A scientific and community-led approach

The Priceless Planet Coalition employs the tree restoration monitoring framework, which tracks:

• Ecosystem integrity.
• Socio-economic benefits.
• Carbon sequestration.
• Tree survival over a 5-year period.

Through partnerships, innovation, and scientific expertise, the coalition is creating a scalable and sustainable model for global forest restoration.

“By doubling down on investments in areas where we achieve the most impact, we’re ensuring our restoration efforts benefit the planet and people alike,” Jackowski added.