Über uns

2022-05-04-Treely-DrohneStango-PiaPiaPia-4.jpg

Climate change is the biggest challenge of our times. And it is happening now. The next few years will be deciding and will have the greatest impact.

Our mission is to ensure forest conservation through state-of-the-art technology and regional collaboration.

Founder

Jodok Batlogg

COO & Managing Director

Christian Lutz

Forestry Expert & Sales

Alexander Vilsmeier

Business Operations

Fiona Batlogg

Finance & HR Managerin

Isabelle Kohlmeier

Feel Good Manager

Kerry

Research Fellow

Luis Schneider

Engineering & Product

Lukas Bals

Forestry Expert 

Marie Woida

Software Engineer

Raul Steurer

GIS Software Engineer

Roman Breitfuss-Schiffer

Marketing/Operations

Stefanie Dünser

Design & Marketing

Tobias Sutterlüty

Greado. Partner Project Management, Customer Solutions.

Dominik Moosbrugger

Silvaconsult AG, Partner Methodology & Certification

Dr. Hubertus Schmidtke

Advisor

Elmar Hartmann

Maks Giordano

Marc Buckley

Sigmund Kluckner

Business Coach & Consultant

Dieter Rösner

The people behind Tree.ly

We are looking forward to your application.

Initiative Application

All positions are available as full- or part-time employment, remote, or in our office in Dornbirn. We're interested in getting in touch with all experience levels from internships to senior leadership.

We are always looking for new Talents

About us

TreesFBGJagdberg.webp

Welche Funktionen erfüllt der Wald?

With climate change mitigation now a hot topic, there is a renewed focus on the importance of maintaining woodland and tree stocks around the world and their role as carbon sinks. Rainforests rightly get ample coverage due to immediate existential deforestation threats. However, forests and trees of all kinds play absolutely essential roles in maintaining life – human and otherwise - on planet earth, of which carbon sequestration is just one aspect.

### Infrastructure protection

If you look at the outskirts of many towns and cities – especially those in hilly or mountainous regions – you will undoubtedly find protective forests. These unsung heroes of urban life play a crucial and often under-appreciated role in minimizing damage to infrastructure in the face of avalanches, erosion, rockfall or flooding. Without them, many towns and cities would suffer exponential increases in natural disasters.

### CO₂ storage and raw materials

The recent IPCC report highlighted the role forests can play as carbon sinks – often many times more than any technology we have yet invented ([see our analysis here](https://tree.ly/blog/ipcc-report)). Meanwhile, sustainably managed forest stock is a vital source of wood, which when turned into houses or objects can store this carbon indefinitely and play a key role in a new circular economy.

### Water storage and flood prevention

The role of trees in carbon sequestration is thankfully now common knowledge; what’s less well known is its role in storing water, maintaining lands, and preventing floods. Forests serve a filtration role, filtering sediment and pollutants before water reaches streams or rivers. Forests also act as a giant sponge, soaking up rainfall for slow release - without them there would be huge increases in flooding. 

### Biodiversity preservation 

Of course, forests are not only there to serve us – they’re home to most land-based life on earth. Indeed, [the UNEP reports](https://www.unep-wcmc.org/en/news/earths-biodiversity-depends-on-the-worlds-forests) that the planet’s forests contain more than 60,000 tree species, 80% of amphibians, 75% of bird species, and 68% of mammalian life. Put simply, take away the forests and we take away the foundations for much of the planet’s biodiverse life. 

### Air purification and a place of leisure

As evidenced by the recent “forest bathing” trend, there’s been a new-found appreciation of woodland as places of relaxation away from city life. But this purification role of the forest stretches way beyond human existence – possibly right back to the start of complex life. This is, of course, due to the simple fact that trees absorb CO₂ and release oxygen, without which life (as we know it) on Earth would never even have developed. 

With all these factors considered, it’s abundantly clear that the more forest we lose, the more planetary life is endangered. On the flipside: the more we nurture our forests and regenerate tree stocks, the more we’re breathing life back into the very systems which sustain life on this planet. 


What functions does a forest perform? 

Waldkohlenstoffmanagement: Grundsätze für den Verkauf von CO₂ Gutschriften

The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture has finalized the position paper on carbon management in forests with the principles for the sale of CO₂ credits. In addition to some wording changes, the earmarking of the proceeds was neglected in this final version. Thus, reinvesting the profits generated from the sale of CO₂ credits in silvicultural measures is no longer a principle. The final document can be found here: 

**[Download: Position paper of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi/CO_2_Gutschriften_Grundsaetze_Juli22_ce6df83c4b.pdf?updated_at=2022-09-15T12:39:25.315Z&utm_source=website_co2_lk&utm_medium=pdf&utm_campaign=carbon_credits)**

## Carbon management in forests

As one of the greatest challenges of the next decades, the climate crisis defines our time. The European Union's goal is to stop releasing net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To achieve this goal, the use of fossil raw materials must be reduced immediately and unavoidable CO₂ emissions must be compensated for in sinks. In this development, biogenic climate protection projects are becoming increasingly important. 

In the wake of the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation or the Taxonomy Regulation, agriculture and forestry are increasingly becoming the focus of carbon sequestration. As a result, the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture has formulated a set of principles for the sale of carbon credits. 

### General principles

The priority is to phase out fossil fuels and increase raw material and energy efficiency. It is significant that CO₂ compensation is accompanied by CO₂ reduction. Avoiding emissions comes before reducing and offsetting. Offsetting companies should therefore demonstrate a fossil CO₂ emissions reduction plan. In addition, sound business practices, through, for example, measurability, no double-billing, as well as transparency, should be followed. The latter can be ensured by documentation in a publicly accessible register. 

In principle, carbon storage in biomass is a climate protection service. According to the European Union, land managers should sell carbon credits in the same way as their traditional products. This trade takes place voluntarily between two contracting parties, and the state can also act as such. Credits are traded specifically, this trade is different from the emission certificate sector. 

The contract period between the two partners should be between 20 and 30 years, thus guaranteeing independence for the future generation. With regard to the remuneration of the climate protection services, market-based mechanisms are used. It is particularly important that no double counting takes place, therefore the trade is limited so far to the national borders. 

Accredited certification is an important prerequisite here. This should, for example, also enable small structures to participate. In Europe, the ISO 14064-1 to 3 series of standards are suitable for this purpose. Outside Europe, the GOLD standard and VERRA in particular have become established.

### Special aspects of forest management

The current marketing of carbon sequestered in wood is limited to sawmill, industrial or energy wood products. As an additional product, CO₂ credits open up new opportunities for forestry. 

In the carbon management of forestry, only the wood stock has been considered so far. Compared to carbon in the forest soil, this is easy to measure and can be developed more quickly. The wood stock is regulated by law, thus preventing drastic deforestation and safeguarding the functions of the forest. A baseline can be set above which deliberate non-use constitutes a climate protection service.

The long-term storage effect of the forest should also be secured. In the wake of the climate crisis, the calamity risk for forest stands increases significantly. Increasing the number of participants and thus the size of the area reduces the risk. Annual payments can be stopped immediately in case of calamity and it is possible to create reserves for such a case. 

The CO₂ products of forestry are stock building and stock preservation, rewetting of peatlands, and building with wood. Regarding timber stock, it should also be possible for operations that have built up a high stock in recent years and are now facing the regeneration phase to participate in the trade. In addition, participation in timber certification schemes should be considered and can increase the value of credits.

### Basic differences from agriculture

Unlike forestry, where the focus is on above-ground biomass, agriculture looks at humus buildup in the soil. Likewise, there are hardly any approaches to stronger carbon sequestration in forestry. Whereas in agriculture, targeted measures already exist within the framework of ÖPUL. 

Read [here](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi/CO_2_Gutschriften_Grundsaetze_Juli22_ce6df83c4b.pdf?updated_at=2022-09-15T12:39:25.315Z&utm_source=website_co2_lk&utm_medium=pdf&utm_campaign=carbon_credits) the entire document of the working group "Carbon Management in Forests" of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, of which Tree.ly CEO Jodok Batlogg is a member.

Learn more about buying carbon credits from verified forestry projects right here in Europe, enabling sustainable action in your own backyard:
[Tree.ly for Business](https://tree.ly/for-companies)


Forest carbon management: principles for selling carbon credits

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Tree.ly: Den Wert der Ökosystemleistungen des Waldes anerkennen

Broadly speaking, ecosystem services encompass everything from soil fertility to pollination to recreation. Together, they make human life possible. These services are being increasingly appreciated, but as the [FAO](https://www.fao.org/ecosystem-services-biodiversity/en/) states, “despite an estimated value of $125 trillion, these assets are not adequately accounted for in political and economic policy.” 

A big part of Tree.ly’s mission is finally compensating forests (and by extension forest owners) for the valuable ecosystem services they provide. What are these “services”, and how are they compensated?

### What exactly are the ecosystem services of a forest?

Forests do far more than just provide humans with raw materials. A forest’s ecosystem services include among other things: 

-	preserving biodiversity as home to numerous species;
-	sequestering carbon and mitigating climate change;
-	conserving soil and preventing land degradation;
-	acting as water filters and preventing floods;
-	serving as places of recreation and leisure.

![forest ecosystem services.png](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi/forest_ecosystem_services_377af59790.png)
_Source:_ [Earth Observation Based Monitoring of Forests in Germany: A Review](https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Ecosystem-services-of-forests-subdivided-into-provisioning-services-supporting_fig1_345716175)

In mountainous areas, so-called [protective forests](https://info.bml.gv.at/en/topics/forests/austrias-forests/protective-forests.html) serve a further crucial role: protecting human infrastructure. Indeed, [BOKU](https://boku.ac.at/en/) research shows that 1 euro invested in a forest has the same protection quality as 150 euros of technical solutions (avalanche protection, concrete reinforcement, etc). In Austria, this is divided into _Objektschutzwald_ (human infrastructure protection) and _Standortschutzwald_ (protecting the location’s soil habitat from erosion and degrading). 

But it’s not enough to simply recognise ecosystem services as such. To make a real difference, these need to be quantified and measured. This is where Tree.ly really comes into its own. 

### How we're quantifying Europe’s forests

Tree.ly is merging the finest age-old nature-based solution with the very latest technology to build the most accurate models ever constructed of Europe’s forests. Our technical team uses science-based technological solutions - drone imaging, lidar, satellite imaging, ortho-photography and more – to reach these exact measurements of a forest’s ecosystem services. This is ultimately monetized and matched with partners on the carbon markets willing to pay. 

At present this consists primarily of evaluating the photosynthetic value of a forest – the process by which carbon is stored. In tropical forests, similar instruments have existed since 2008, but European forests owners have not been compensated for this valuable ecosystem service – until now. 

A forest stock is analysed, taking into account factors such as tree species, altitude, tree age, and more, to reach an accurate estimation of its carbon capture capabilities over time. For example, the largest forest owner in Vorarlberg (Austria) includes 6,470 ha, an analysis foresees a creditable carbon sink performance of ~353,000 tonnes of CO₂ in 30 years, or ~11,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year for 30 years.

Once quantified, the concept of additionality is crucial in turning this into a carbon market asset. This way, foresters are finally recognized for the valuable work they have done for centuries. What’s more, as part of their agreements with Tree.ly the forest owner agrees to reinvest all profits back into the forest, ensuring its ecosystem services continue far into the future.

### CO₂ and beyond

As well as forests’ carbon capture potential, Tree.ly’s technical team is actively working on solutions to measure and quantify other vital factors such as water filtration and biodiversity, bird species etc. In the coming years, this will make our platform the most comprehensive compendium of European forests ever created. 

Find out more and explore our ever-growing portfolio here: https://tree.ly/portfolio


Tree.ly: Recognizing the value of forest ecosystem services

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Der Tree.ly Climate Project Codex: Sicherstellung der höchsten Qualität von Emissionsgutschriften

Inevitably as carbon neutrality and net zero hit the headlines, scrutiny of such claims is increasing. Bold claims are all well and good, but only if backed up by tangible measurable action. With this in mind, we feel it’s important to lay out precisely how Tree.ly’s projects resolve several of the carbon market’s wicked problems. 

### Solving “double counting”

The issue of double counting has plagued carbon markets for years. Simply put, this refers to the need to ensure 1 tonne of CO₂ is counted only once, and though the Paris Agreement made some progress, the issue remains. Tree.ly solves this on two fronts: on the one hand by using the latest technology (tokenization, blockchain, etc.), and on the other hand thanks to an emphasis on regional projects, keeping trading within borders using the so-called “Swiss solution” put forward by the [Swiss federal forest division (BAFU)](https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/en/home/office/divisions-sections/forest-division.html). Which brings us to our next point:  

### High-quality regional projects

Only European projects with the strongest forestry laws on the planet are selected by Tree.ly. Quality is guaranteed and vetted through this selection process, after which we work closely with forest owners. Together we generate detailed information using precise measurements such as lidar, science-based stock keeping and vegetation types and harvesting data and forest management science. Last but not least, any income generated must be reinvested into the forest to further boost the robustness of these valuable assets.

### Vulnerability buffers

The commitments forest owners make to Tree.ly also offer our projects a large degree of risk protection. The way projects are distributed also inherently spreads the risk: fast-growing and strong Alpine forests buffer more vulnerable forests in other regions of Europe. The buffer percentages of a high-risk forest project are adapted and higher than for a very safe project. In the recent US forest fires, these buffers literally went up in flames, but in Europe such large forest fires cannot occur due to the shape and size and infrastructure capabilities.

### Ultimate additionality

Standards stipulate that climate protection measures from offset projects must be of an additional nature, meaning they come from projects that would not have been initiated otherwise. We engage in two types of projects (Carbon Removal & Carbon Conservation), each of which address this “additionality”. With carbon removal projects this is clear, literally adding trees to a forest stock. With carbon conservation, even if conditions and wood prices lead to a lowering of stock, forest owners commit to not going below their agreed-upon lower boundary. (Find out more [here](https://tree.ly/blog/treely-project-types)).

### Longest time spans

Permanence is another aspect which sets Tree.ly apart: there are no other similar projects on the planet with 30-year permanence. Coupled with our science-based measurements, this increases reliability and can ensure more of an impact, locking in the forest’s CO₂-capturing capabilities for three decades. Moreover, if long-lasting wood products are subsequently produced (e.g. houses) this is sequestered indefinitely. These factors give Tree.ly’s nature-based climate projects the greatest possible permanence.

### Transparency and high standards

Trust and transparency are indispensable in carbon markets, especially with increasing scrutiny and anti-greenwashing movements. With this in mind, [Tree.ly’s registry](https://tree.ly/portfolio) can be seen at any time by all parties (credit purchasers, forest owners, etc.) – it is transparent by design, and based on [ISO 14064-2 norms](https://www.iso.org/standard/66454.html). On the purchasing side, we only sell to hard-to-avoid emitters: buyers need to show their carbon balance, and prove they’ve done everything to reduce and [avoid Scope 1,2 & 3 emissions](https://tree.ly/blog/intro-carbon-markets). Only then can they be accepted to buy carbon credits from Tree.ly. 

Ultimately, such transparency and high standards underly everything we do, meaning forest owners and carbon purchasers alike can rest assured that projects with Tree.ly offer maximal trust, reliability and quality.

### Read more:

Check out our concise summary of carbon markets as of 2022 [here](https://tree.ly/blog/intro-carbon-markets).

- [Treely for Forest Owner sign up](https://tree.ly/sign-up/step-1)
- [Treely for Carbon Buyers](https://tree.ly/for-companies)


The Tree.ly Climate Project Codex: Ensuring the highest quality carbon credits

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Was für Waldklimaschutzprojekte macht Tree.ly? 

As you probably know by now, Tree.ly is a climate tech startup which helps forest owners get compensated for the [ecosystem services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_service) they provide. But how do we go about this? Here we take the chance to explain what kind of forests are benefiting, how they are categorised and – most importantly – how we arrive at our carbon sequestration potential with which forest owners are compensated.

### First things first: Initial analysis

At present, we’re working with those who own upwards of 500 ha and maintain a forest inventory and management protocols. The first step is for current forest inventory to be determined, so our tech team can work out projected carbon estimations. The optimal stock range is then modeled, based on techniques established by [BOKU](https://boku.ac.at/en/) and [ETH Zürich](https://ethz.ch/). This analysis considers factors such as tree species, vegetation altitude, growth potential, and more. Based on these values, upper and lower boundaries are established, which are key for setting the framework and benchmarks for projects.

Once each project has been assessed, it is assigned into one of two categories: Carbon Removal or Carbon Conservation [as defined by the IPCC](https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/faq/faq-chapter-4/). Let’s look deeper at these two. 

### Project Type: Carbon Removal (increase of stock)

This is the ‘classic’ afforestation model, which mostly concerns adding to existing tree stock through measures such as forest management and planting activities. 
![Increase-of-Stock-Treely-Space@2x.webp](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi/Increase_of_Stock_Treely_Space_2x_843b19b255.webp)

The key here is maintaining (and growing) the current stock, using sustainable forestry management to care for and reach the chosen stock commitment. This number is chosen by the owner and agreed with Tree.ly as a realistic goal for the lifetime of the project; the duration can be set between 1 – 30 years. 

In the above example, the commitment is to increase the stock by **50 m³ / ha in 30 years**. In a project area of 1000 ha this would mean 50 m³/ha over the project lifetime – equal to an estimated **2100 tonnes of CO₂** per year.


### Project Type: Carbon Conservation (preservation of stock)

For this project type, we lend kudos to the slightly ‘unsexier’ side of forestry – rather than headline-grabbing treeplanting ventures, this is all about maintaining existing stocks so that they continue to capture carbon for another generation or more. 

Crucially, older trees are jam-packed with biodiversity and provide habitats to a huge array of wildlife. “Forests create an enabling environment for life to flourish,” writes Cambridge sustainability expert [Wayne Visser](https://www.waynevisser.com/). “This is why planting trees is not enough we need to protect and expand forest ecosystems.”

Even with strong forestry laws we have in Central Europe, it is an achievement to keep up a certain amount of stock - an ecosystem service which should be recognised. Thanks to Tree.ly, forest owners finally have a way of monetising the ecosystem value of their forests. They are thereby rewarded for guaranteeing a certain stockage – instead of cutting down for wood, for example, they are incentivised to commit to a certain stock in the forest.

Here the lower and upper boundaries are key. Let’s say a total project area is 1454 ha, with a current stock of 390 m³/ha.  The forest owner commits to not go under 370 m³/ha and maintain this for 30 years – the default project length. In carbon terms, this commitment is equal to **89 tCO₂/ha**, adding up to **129 406 tCO₂** over 30 years ([contact us](https://tree.ly/) to find out the financial and earning implications).
![Preservation-of-Stock-Treely-Space@2x.webp](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi/Preservation_of_Stock_Treely_Space_2x_4721adbc37.webp)

### Project Type: Removal & Conservation (combined project)

As well as the main two types, forest owners also have the option to combine the above two. 

### What happens next?

An annual report is carried out, on the basis of which the forest owner is paid. The report includes information on activities as well as any calamities which may have occurred. The certification body then issues carbon credits based on this report, which Tree.ly then sells on the voluntary carbon market.  

Contact our forestry expert [Alexander Vilsmeier](mailto:alexander@tree.ly) to find out more about our project types, and how to get involved. 

**Typical project timeline:**
![treely project timeline.png](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi/treely_project_timeline_fac4dbdd4c.png)

Explainer: What types of projects does Tree.ly deal with? 

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Wälder und Kohlenstoffbindung: das Fazit des neuesten IPCC-Berichts

As if we needed any further reminders of the seriousness of the climate emergency, the IPCC have released the [final part of its Sixth Assessment Report](https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg3/pdf/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_FinalDraft_FullReport.pdf). While it lays out in no uncertain terms the extent of the challenge, there is cause for optimism as the focus is on “the linkages between climate change mitigation, adaptation and development”.

Firstly, the bad news: clearly the window of opportunity to limit serious temperature rises is fast closing. Not only have emissions not reduced, they continue to rise. 

But this report was less about the bad news, and more about what we can do to fix this. Alongside a recommendation for “rapid and deep” emissions reductions to limit global warming to less than 1.5 or 2C, there was a new focus given to carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in all its forms: “The deployment of CDR to counterbalance residual emissions is unavoidable if net zero CO₂ or GHG emissions are to be achieved.” (Section C.3)

This insightful table essentially puts man-made solutions side by side with nature-based solutions in the clearest way ever:

![IPCC-Report-Graph.png](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi-staging/IPCC_Report_Graph_41ba15bb8b.png)
*Source: IPCC, Figure SPM.7: Overview of mitigation options and their estimated ranges of costs and potentials in 2030. Full table available on Page 51 [here](https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg3/pdf/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_SummaryForPolicymakers.pdf).*

Here it’s clear that, for now, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is both inefficient at cutting carbon and incredibly costly. Thankfully a technology exists which is cost-effective, efficient, readily available, and whose impact literally grows over time. 

#### Yes, we’re talking about trees.  


In fact, when combined, forest-based solutions represent the biggest climate mitigation options of all, taking into account reduced deforestation, afforestation, and sustainable forest management. 

Let’s take a look at the IPCC report’s main findings regarding the role of forests in climate change mitigation. 


### Cost-effective solution

It’s important to note that the “net lifetime cost” of tree-based solutions in the above table is also comparatively low. On this economic mitigation, the report states that the largest share comes from the “conservation, improved management, and restoration of forests and other ecosystems.” Clearly, we all have a huge incentive to maintain existing forest stocks. 

### Climatic impacts on trees

The changing climate is a double-edged sword for forests themselves – on the one hand, higher CO₂ levels may “enhance tree growth rates, carbon sequestration, and timber and biomass production” but on the other, climate change could lead to “greater frequency and intensity of disturbance events in forests”. However, the net effect remains to be seen. 

### Sustainable forestry 

The report clearly recognizes the role of “Indigenous Peoples, private forest owners, local farmers and communities manage a significant share of global forests and agricultural land and play a central role in land-based mitigation options.” At the same time, there is a role too for sustainably sourced wood products and the locked-in carbon storage this entails: “When done in a sustainable way, more regrowth will occur and is stimulated by management, resulting in a net sink.”

### Urban expansion

The report states that urban land may well triple between now and 2050, and that given past trends, this expansion “is expected to take place on agricultural lands and forests, with implications for the loss of carbon stocks.” But at the same time, a ‘greening’ of urban areas (including urban forestry) could both help cooling effects and play a carbon capture role, seeing as urban trees currently store 7.4 billion tonnes of carbon, and sequester approximately 217 million tonnes of carbon annually.

### Zero deforestation

It goes without saying that the report recommends redoubling efforts to end deforestation at all levels. This includes a “High Carbon Stock (HCS) approach” that combines carbon stock values with the protection of HCS areas. They call, however, for greater degrees of transparency and legislative powers to “improve the enforcement of forest laws and regulations”.

### Forest financing

As the costs of delivering the proposed forest-related carbon sequestration and emission reduction may reach $400 billion a year by 2050, the IPCC recommend maximizing the horizontal engagement between business, NGOs, and communities to meet the financing needs. Furthermore, they state that “enhanced monitoring, reporting and verification capacity” play a crucial role in establishing trust across this “wide array of actors”.

–––––––––

Overall, the report is positive on the effect sustainable forestry can have on mitigating climate change, with the potential to deliver 5-6 gigatons of CO₂ per year in sequestration and emission reduction. Moreover, they spell out the clear interrelation between sustainable forest management and the path of sustainable development – and the clear benefit not only to the planet but to society and human advancement at all levels. 


Forests and carbon capture: the verdict from the latest IPCC report

Stand-Montafon-Forest.webp

Wie wirkt sich der Klimawandel auf die europäischen Wälder aus?

Most of the talk around forests and climate change revolves around their potential to capture carbon and offset emissions. Indeed, this is at the core of our own company’s mission. But the fact is these same trees are themselves under threat from climatic transformations already under way. Let’s look at how forests in Europe are changing – and what we can do about it.
 
### New tree species

One sure sign of change is the planting of wholly new types of trees, in anticipation of a warmer climate. Caring for forests is a generational game; in the words of an old Greek proverb, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” This has never been more true, and now these ‘old men’ need to give more consideration than ever as to exactly which trees are planted. For example, several Austrian forestry companies are already experimenting with warmer climate species such as Douglas (pseudotsuga spp.), Robinia pseudoacacia, Paulownia spp. etc.
 
### Older trees more vulnerable

Younger trees may benefit from the foresight of their planters, but those already in the ground have no such luck and are the most vulnerable to climatic extremes. “Their water transportation system has to work under greater stress to transport water,” comments a [Max Planck Institute report](https://www.mpg.de/16501852/climate-change-threatens-european-forests). “As a result, large trees suffer more from drought and are then more susceptible to disease.” Not only this, due to their size older trees are most vulnerable to both storm damage and insect attacks. So while we most often hear about tree planting and reforestation, proforestation – the protection of older growth – has a crucial role to play in carbon sequestration efforts.

### Dry periods and fires

When hearing of forest fires, we generally think of far-flung California or Australia. Yet the truth is they’re becoming increasingly common in Europe, as those in Southern Europe can attest to. 2021 was [the second-worst year on record](https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news/eu-2021-wildfire-season-was-second-worst-record-finds-new-commission-report-2022-03-21_en), with 1 113 464 ha burning across 39 countries thanks to a lethal combination of drought and high temperatures. If we’re to take full advantage of trees’ CO₂ capture potential, we need to mitigate the risk of fires which undermine such efforts.
 
### Pests

Higher temperatures and droughts in forests create a perfect storm for harmful bark beetle infestations, on the one hand weakening trees’ defences and on the other accelerating the beetles’ breeding cycles. They are multiplying in such exponential numbers that Central Europe’s backbone of spruce forests are under threat; the Czech Republic alone lost the equivalent of 100,000 football fields in 2018.
 
Thankfully, technologies such as drones and [remote sensing](https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/12/21/3634/pdf?version=1604586979) are helping foresters prevent and mitigate damage, by detecting the early signs of infestation. But there’s a long way to go in overcoming this tiny yet lethal menace.
 
### Windstorms

Windstorms and all the other mentioned calamities are natural occurrences in forest dynamics and can help [regenerate forests and increase biodiversity](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721070480). However, extreme weather events and more exposed forests increase the risk of serious damage. It is not just the wind itself; [studies in Switzerland](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721070480#bb0525) suggested warmer soil temperatures play a part. Wind damage can be mitigated through adaptation strategies and risk minimization, such as forest planning to take into account the most vulnerable trees or stocks.

### Conclusion: 

If we are to make the most of trees' vast carbon storage potential - which is ultimately our mission at Tree.ly - a timely adaptation and mitigation is essential. As we've explored, many of these changes are part of a forest's natural fluctuations and processes, but they're happening faster than ever before. Thankfully, all the above can be mitigated or prepared for in good time with good forest management and by harnessing the potential of new technologies.

How is climate change affecting European forests?

Why_Treely_Visual@2x.webp

Warum Tree.ly?

The forest and its CO₂ storage potential together with its protection, utility and recreational capabilities is a valuable resource and the basis for many people’s livelihood. We ensure the preservation of the forest by using state-of-the-art technologies and through the execution of regional CO₂ projects with forest owners. These projects lead to a better forest structure, increase the climate resilience of the forest and optimize the CO₂ storage potential.

**Tree.ly stands for**
- preservation of forests
- modern technologies
- regional cooperation
- climate protection
- transparency and fairness
- reliable partnerships with forest owners

## And why do we need Tree.ly?

In Europe, forests have an immense, untapped climate protection potential. They compensate for about seven percent of emissions in Germany.  Tree.ly stands up for forest – our basis for life – and create opportunities for everyone to participate in climate protection by supporting forest owners in the sustainable management of their forests. We ensure that this valuable resource is preserved for us as well as future generations.
We use state-of-the-art technologies to create incentives for modern and sustainable forest management. Tree.ly, allows regional forest owners to receive fair compensation for their positive contribution to the environment in the form of CO₂ credits. With regional projects, we ensure that emissions are compensated right where they occur, contributing to the consistent, sustainable management of forests. This way, we can have the biggest impact on stopping climate change. For a sustainable, livable and just world. 

Why Tree.ly?

TreesOnASlope.webp

Was sind Carbon Removals und warum brauchen wir sie?

As the term suggests, carbon removals, also known as carbon dioxide removals (CDR), are nature-based or technological methods of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and result in negative CO₂ emissions.

The Paris Climate Agreement calls for limiting man-made global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, or even 1.5 degrees Celsius if possible, compared to pre-industrial levels.

### Why exactly 1.5 °C?

According to climate scientists, a global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius is the limit to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) finds that the atmosphere can only absorb 313 gigatons (Gt) of CO₂ to stay below the 1.5 degree limit. In 2020, about 36 gigatons of CO₂ were emitted globally. If we assume that the world will continue to emit this much CO₂, the CO₂ budget will be used up in less than nine years. Therefore, reducing our CO₂ emissions alone is not enough to achieve the climate targets.

![1.5DegreesSketch.webp](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi/1_5_Degrees_Sketch_97c2d3b7d6.webp)

As you can see from the graph, we cannot reduce our carbon footprint fast enough through conventional methods, such as renewable energy, to reach "net zero" by 2050. Carbon removals are needed to offset the unavoidable emissions.

Carbon removal varies depending on how the CO₂ is removed from the air and for how long it is then stored. Often these two characteristics are related. A distinction can be made between nature-based methods, such as forestry projects, and machine-based methods, such as direct air capture (DAC). Nature-based methods store CO₂ for a shorter period of time than machine-based methods. However, they are more efficient and scalable. Machine-based methods such as DAC are still in the early stages of development, have low CO₂ storage volumes, and have extremely high development and construction costs.

[Tree.ly](https://tree.ly/blog/why-treely) focuses on forest projects. As trees grow, they convert CO₂ to biomass through photosynthesis. A mature tree can absorb up to 22 kilograms of carbon from the atmosphere per year and at the same time producing enough oxygen for four people per day. Furthermore, [CO₂ projects with forest owners](https://tree.ly/blog/what-does-treely-do) have additional environmental benefits, such as purifying drinking water and protecting the livelihoods of a wide range of animal and plant species.

[IPCC - Why exactly 1.5 °C?](https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/)

 What are carbon removals and why do we need them to reach our climate goals?

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Einführung in die CO₂-Märkte in 2022

Phrases like net zero plans and emissions offsetting are becoming increasingly part of the corporate lexicon. Nevertheless, the practical means for doing so remain difficult jungles to navigate, are subject to change, and often misunderstood. Given the importance of carbon markets to both Tree.ly’s mission and the future of the planet, here we offer the reader a (relatively) short introduction to the topic as of 2022.

### First step: recording GHG emissions

While the focus of carbon markets is on offsetting – and offsetting is often the cheapest and most appealing option - it’s important to state that the initial focus of any net zero strategy should be avoiding and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the first place. A company’s unavoidable emissions can then be offset in an ever-growing number of ways (CDU, DAC, Tree.ly). But the first step in any carbon compensation strategy is to systematically record emissions (CO₂ and others) along the value chain. 

The GHG Protocol is the most widely used methodological framework for GHG accounting. Coordinated and developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), it defines three areas – Scope 1,2,3 - to which GHG emissions are assigned: 

![scope 1-2-3 emissions.png](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi/scope_1_2_3_emissions_074732e327.png)
_Source: [www.greenelement.co.uk](https://www.greenelement.co.uk)_

Once the GHG balance is established as a starting point, a company can set long-term reduction targets, target paths and timelines as part of a climate protection strategy. But for these to be meaningful, they must be science-based.

### Science-based targets

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) serves as an excellent guide, showing companies how to set reduction targets for achieving the Paris climate targets. These should include at least 95% of Scope 1 and 2 emissions. If more than 40 per cent of GHG emissions are in Scope 3, the SBTi recommends setting ambitious, measurable Scope 3 targets. Since double counting can occur when recording CO₂ emissions in the supply chain, double offsetting by several actors can also arise (more on this below). As there are currently no international regulations in this area, it is recommended to proceed carefully when selecting the recording and target-setting method.

### Compensating based on SBTi

Although offsetting does not help reduce a company's own emissions, it does contribute to achieving net zero emissions outside the company's value chain. Because of this beneficial effect, SBTi calls this approach "climate positive". There are two options here: full offsetting or partial offsetting. 

**Full offsetting:** Companies pursue their target path by avoiding and reducing emissions. In this way, companies achieve net zero emissions in the target year, i.e. all emissions along the path are offset by the target year. 

**Partial offsetting:** Here only the difference (the delta) between the actual and the target emissions is offset. The residual emissions of the target path are not offset. 
![net-zero graph.png](https://cdn.tree.ly/strapi/sbtis_graph_66c31341dc.png)

### On Additionality, Vulnerability and Permanence

Let’s break down three important terms when it comes to implementing meaningful compensation strategies: **_Additionality:_** Climate protection measures from offset projects must be of an additional nature, meaning they come from projects that would not have been initiated without the offset funding. **_Vulnerability:_** The oversupply of certificates and the question of which of the already running projects are dependent on the income from the sale of certificates raises the question of vulnerability. Vulnerable climate protection projects run the risk of not being able to continue emission reductions if the income from the certificates is lost (see more [here](https://www.dehst.de/SharedDocs/downloads/EN/project-mechanisms/vulnerability-of-CDM.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3)). **_Permanence:_** Emission savings through climate protection projects must be permanent - the greenhouse gases saved must not be released back into the atmosphere. 

### Project quality and requirements

The quality of climate protection projects is crucial. High-quality and costly projects with high benefits are more likely to be transferred to the new Article G regime under the Paris Agreement. It should be noted that there are many cheap certificates on the market. Low-cost certificates can originate from projects carried out even without the additional income from the sale of the certificates, hence not actually helping to reduce emissions. Such measures therefore do not compensate for emissions caused by a company. 

Project quality is therefore paramount. This is where Tree.ly’s high-quality projects in European forests really stand out, with every element and stage of a project mapped out in detail – check out our portfolio [here](https://tree.ly/portfolio).

### Double counting

Double counting of a unit of saved CO₂ occurs when two actors count the same tonne of CO₂ saved. Example: in a project in India, 1 tonne of CO₂ is avoided; this tonne of CO₂ could now compensate for the emissions of a German company. But India as a country could also claim the saving for its NDC. There is not only a theoretical conflict here, because two parties - the German company and India - claim the same physical tonne of CO₂ reduction.

The Paris Agreement has laid out rules to deal with double counting, which are currently being negotiated. 

For carbon certificates issued for Tree.ly projects, this issue of double counting is fundamentally avoided.

### Carbon markets: Pitfalls to avoid

Whichever approach companies choose, there are a few common pitfalls to avoid. This includes purchasing certificates from projects of poor quality, such as lack of additionality or permanence (see above definitions). Such allowances cannot be used for offsetting, even if the associated emission reductions were achieved before the end of 2020. 

Certificates from unidentifiable projects should also be avoided - companies should ensure they have direct access to all primary project information. Lastly, it should be clear to a company how funds are used and what their money is spent on. 

For each of these pitfalls, Tree.ly projects offer significant advantages, with complete transparency and accuracy, coupled with the fact that any money generated is transparently reinvested back into forest projects.

_Find out more about purchasing carbon credits from verified forest projects right here in Europe, enabling sustainable action in your own backyard: [https://tree.ly/carbon-buyers](https://tree.ly/for-companies)_




An Introduction to Carbon Markets in 2022

News-from-Treely-EN@2x.png

Neuigkeiten von Tree.ly

## We are on the Austrian Forestry Days in Taggenbrunn from 9th to 10th of June 2022!

Tree.ly has been invited to this year's forestry days and the subsequent excursion of [Eckart Senitza](https://www.linkedin.com/in/senitza-eckart-010a9878/), founder of [ProSilva](https://www.prosilva.org/). The excursion will take place on Friday 10th of June in the forests of [Gut Poitschach](http://www.senitza.at/).

[Alexander](mailto:alexander@tree.ly) would be happy to meet you in person on 9th or 10th of June to introduce and share further details on Tree.ly with you.

If you spontaneously decide to participate, please [contact Alexander directly](mailto:alexander@tree.ly).

### Other news from Tree.ly

With [Roman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-breitfuss-schiffer-594518175/) and [Alexander](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandervilsmeier/), we have two new employees on board and continue with reinforcement to further develop our platform.

Two short films were shot with existing project partners - have fun!

Our CEO Jodok Batlogg had a longer interview with [futurezone.at](https://futurezone.at/start-ups/start-up-treely-co2-handel-wald-klimawandel-emissionen-co2-zertifikate/402011454)

### What does Tree.ly do?

Tree.ly is your **regional partner** that provides you with a transparent and **measurable climate protection value of your local forest**.

With **Tree.ly's digital platform**, forest owners have relevant key figures of their forest available at all times.

Currently, we are still focused on inventoried forest areas of more than 500 ha, but **this technological solution will be applicable to smallest areas** and subsequently scaled to the whole of Europe.

### How does a forest project with Tree.ly work?

In a first step, the scope and type of the project is determined with the forest owner in a feasibility study.

The following types are possible with the Tree.ly methodology:
  - CO₂ conservation (commitment of 30 years)
  - CO₂ removal (commitment of 1 – 30 years)
  - Or a combination of the two

After the conclusion out of the feasibility study, a contract is signed between the forest owner and Tree.ly

In a further step, Tree.ly submits the project to TÜV Nord, which validates it and subsequently verifies and issues the tCO₂ certificates annually. There are **no costs** for the forest owner in this state of the project.

Tree.ly manages the certificate register and takes care of the sales of the certificates at the best possible price.

After Tree.ly has received the payment, the amount is immediately forwarded to the forest owner - the money transferred **must be invested in the management of the forest** (forestry management measures, forest personnel costs, etc.).

News from Tree.ly

Boemly_Visual@2x.webp

Wir stellen vor: Boemly, unsere Komponenten- bibliothek für React

I’m very happy to introduce our brand new component library for React - Boemly. Boemly is based on the widely known open-source component library [ChakraUI](https://chakra-ui.com/), which is focused on accessibility and speed. Boemly focuses on the same values and enriches ChakraUI with some neat components conceptualised and built by the Tree.ly team. Boemly offers a very limited amount of customizations to keep it simple, only core tokens like fonts, colours, border radii, … can be customised.

## How to use Boemly?

Boemly tries to be as easy to use as possible. It’s based on the widely known [provider pattern](https://reactjs.org/docs/context.html) in React. You have to wrap the whole app in the BoemlyThemeProvider and then use the components of the library. A little example:

```js
import { Button, BoemlyThemeProvider } from 'boemly';

function App() {
  return (
    <BoemlyThemeProvider>
      <Button>Button</Button>
    </BoemlyThemeProvider>
  );
}

export default App;
```

### Useful links:

- Full documentation → https://boemly.tree.ly 
- GitHub → https://github.com/treely/boemly (Don’t forget to star!)
- NPM → https://www.npmjs.com/package/boemly 

### Technical details

Boemly is 100% written in Typescript and follows the high coding standards at Tree.ly. Same as ChakraUI, Boemly uses [Emotion](https://emotion.sh/) for styling and [Framer Motion](https://www.framer.com/docs/) for smooth animations. To ensure code quality an automated linting, testing, and publishing pipeline is set up. Deploy early, fail fast!

### Open source

Boemly is an open-source project and has already found some contributors. We at Tree.ly believe in the valuability of an engaged developer community. That’s why we want to open-source as much as possible and encourage employees to contribute to open-source projects whenever they want. Boemly is the first open-source project of our young company - contributions are highly appreciated - don’t be afraid of being wrong.


Introducing Boemly, our component library for React

What_does_Treely_do_Visual@2x.webp

Was macht Tree.ly?

We work hand in hand with forest owners, combining deep knowledge and climate awareness with the very latest tech, to create a future worth living in.

**Would you like to generate additional capital with your forest?**

**Do you want to play your part in a sustainable future?**


The great CO₂ storage potential of forests is widely known. Less well-known is that this may also be a source of income to make forestry more profitable in today's world. We help bring additional money into your forest while realizing valuable climate protection services.


### Regional and climate friendly

Carbon certifications are associated with high initial costs for forest owners and can be a complex maze to navigate. This is where Tree.ly steps in for forest owners as a reliable and experienced partner. As well as this, our technology makes it possible for forest owners to manage and easily maintain their forest as a CO₂ sink without high investment costs. We design climate protection projects that aim to optimize CO₂ storage potential and thus increase the removal of greenhouse gas emissions. The additional revenues generated by our carbon credits help forest owners ensure the ongoing sustainable management of their forest. To contribute to climate protection, additional annual revenue is to be used exclusively for forestry measures related to the forest area covered by the project.

### High-tech solution for the climate

As a technology company, Tree.ly creates accurate biomass surveys via remote sensing with their proprietary machine learning models. This creates digital twins of forests using satellite imagery, LIDAR data, elevation level maps and tree species distribution maps. With Tree.ly's digital platform, you can access relevant key figures about your forest at all times. This technological solution can also be applied to very small areas and is scalable to the whole of Europe. This is a breakthrough climate tech which paves the way for an automated EU-wide forest inventory with multiple fields of application.

### Tree.ly offers you:

- Feasibility studies for specific implementation
- Calculation of the CO₂ storage potential
- Calculation of the ideal overall forest stock 
- Provision of relevant key figures for forest management
- Tips for forest management optimized for carbon certification
- Access to Tree.ly’s digital forest management platform
- Organization and administration of the certification process
- Organization of monitoring and auditing activities
- Creation of a risk pool for damaging events 

### Increased income through climate protection services

In the first step, Tree.ly is serving forestry operations with an inventoried forest area above 500 hectares. However, in the near future, Tree.ly’s platform will enable whole forest inventory, thus opening up the possibility to small forest owners too. We are currently in contact with a large number of forest owners of all sizes. To date, we have already carried out feasibility studies for around 15,000 hectares of forest. 

Tree.ly was founded with the aim of combining state-of-the-art technology, full transparency, and forest conservation, putting climate protection into practice through regional cooperation and financial viability. 

It’s time for forest resources and good forestry practice to be truly valued and appreciated. You too can help drive climate protection and sustainable development in Europe. Let the forest work for you.


[Claim your forest now.](https://tree.ly/sign-up/step-1)



What does Tree.ly do?

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Ein Gespräch mit Walter Amann von der FBG Jagdberg  und Jodok Batlogg

**The following text is the transcript of an interview in which Christian Lampert of WISTO Vor(w)ort with Walter Amann, managing director of the Forstbetriebsgemeinschaft Jagdberg and Tree.ly founder Jodok Batlogg, talk about their goals and plans for the future, as well as the motivations behind Tree.ly's ability to convince more and more forest owners to use the full potential of their forests.**

_Christian Lampert:_ Hello and welcome to a new edition of our Wisto Foreword Podcast format. My name is Christian Lampert and I'm pleased to have two exciting interviewees in the Postgarage. Namely, Jodok Batlogg, the founder of Tree.ly and Walter Amann from the Forstgemeinschaft Jagdberg.
Good morning. Thank you very much for the time. We're going to jump right in. Jodok, question for you, what does Tree.ly actually do? How can you describe that in simple terms to someone who's never heard of it?

_Jodok Batlogg:_ We help ensure that our forests are preserved for the future, that the CO₂ storage that takes place there is maintained and expanded. So far, timber harvesting is the only way to make money from the forest, which is of course a sad thing in the sign of climate change. Forest owners should also be compensated for other services they provide with their forest, that are, ecosystem services. For this, we need systems and tools that this value creation can take place. We are building a digital platform for this.

_Christian Lampert:_ That means it can be understood in a way that you can assess or calculate the value and performance of a forest?

_Jodok Batlogg:_ Forest owners develop their forest better, better means that more CO₂ is stored or not released. The forest owner:in gets money if he/she manages the forest accordingly. We create an additional flow of money into the forest. 
 
_Christian Lampert:_ Where does this money flow come from?

_Jodok Batlogg:_ From companies that voluntarily neutralise their CO₂ balance. That is, companies usually try to avoid emissions, reduce existing emissions, and what's left are those that are unavoidable. These unavoidable emissions can be offset. There are various options for this on the voluntary CO₂ market. These include, for example, cooking stoves in Africa, methane facilities in India, hydropower in China, but there are also local CO₂ projects and ground storage. We are developing a system to measure CO₂ storage in forests. Certificates can be generated for this storage. 

_Christian Lampert:_ That means it's certainly exciting for companies, but I think also for private individuals. Whereas it's actually about making a contribution in the direction of CO₂ avoidance in regional forestry.

_Jodok Batlogg:_ That is our vision, that every private forest owner who manages his forest appropriately is rewarded. At the moment, unfortunately, we can only serve larger forest owners with an area of over 500 hectares with our methodology. Later, when our digital platform is ready, we expect to be able to cover small private forest owners over the next year. We are currently talking about CO₂, but the forest performs many other services that will need to be evaluated and measured in the future.

_Christian Lampert:_ We have now heard a lot in the direction of sustainability, but also about regional value creation. Sustainability, emissions avoidance and CO₂ storage are on everyone's lips. What was one of the main motivations to start this project or what is behind it? How did you come up with the idea of doing something like this?

_Jodok Batlogg:_ I've done quite a few things in my life. The last one was an international technology company based in San Francisco. It used investor money to create new technologies for industrial data. I was thinking in September 2020, in the context of this whole Corona lockdown, it's not good going slow or going in the wrong direction with business. It can't go on like this, we have to go in a different direction. This was a breakpoint where I decided, I want to be in climate technology. I want to combine my knowledge around technology, team building and team leadership. Then I started thinking about the field. Oceans as well as permafrost soils or rainforests are not very present in Europe, but our native forests make a huge contribution. With that I realised, I want to do something with the forest, with technology and people. I started on a white sheet of paper and thought about what to do. That was totally scary because I only had two calendar items that day. A talk at the Rotary Club and oral hygiene. Those were my appointments for the whole year. With the plan to do something for the forests and save the forests, that's how it started.
 
_Christian Lampert:_ It's an exciting start, but how did you get all your knowledge? How can you think of something like that, someone like you who has done a lot, how do you start something like that?

_Jodok Batlogg:_ Fortunately, I have quite a large network. So I shimmied from person to person and got to know people from the surrounding area. In the Vorarlberg Forest Association, for example, I got to know Walter Amann. As a forest expert, he knows a lot about the forest, and as a forester, he understands the needs of the forest. There are many experts, we have met many and talked to many. That's great because it's complementary knowledge. Meanwhile, I was able to greatly expand my knowledge of the forest. I am a nature person, but I also have skills in this sector, which is underrepresented. In return, I'm not connected to a lot of interest groups, which shows that you can be much more efficient on the road with this start-up mindset. Can move things and when young foresters and technologies meet, magical things happen, it feels like.
 
_Christian Lampert:_ Not only magical things probably happen, but there are quite a few challenges to solve. What is the path? What problems did you guys face in the beginning or what were the biggest challenges to get this off the ground?

_Jodok Batlogg:_ We still face big problems, we don't know if it will finally work, but we are trying. That's a bit of the definition of entrepreneurship for me, that you see opportunities and you try to take advantage of the opportunities, regardless of what resources are available. You believe in something, I'm all alone, and think to myself, now we're going in the right direction. I'll find people to come along with me and think it's a good idea too. The big difficulty is that all this regulatory stuff is not developed yet. The EU laws are just developing, you don't know exactly what direction it's going in yet. We often work with public agencies, which often have difficulties when there is no legal basis yet. The transition from voluntary to legally bound climate protection. Still, there are quite a few opportunities for a start-up to move quickly. The risks in summary: Regulatory issues, also the whole issue of figuring out what is right, what works at all with the new crises of our time. As a result, the willingness to pay for climate protection has taken a bit of a back seat.
 
_Christian Lampert:_ You have also participated in the Innovation Call of the state of Vorarlberg, where completely new innovative ideas are sought or also awarded. To what extent did it help you or your company Tree.ly, how did it help you?  Are these relevant parameters for you to participate in such things?


_Jodok Batlogg:_ Yes, that has been extremely important, without that impetus at the beginning, we would have had greater difficulties getting started. We are defining a new way of how this company is financed and how it grows. There are advisory boards, board of directors that are trying to steer this company. What the experience and previous companies bring was that I really didn't want to do that anymore. But rather a company that has healthy growth, that is of course profitable, and of course promotes sustainable development. Which is also people-centric. All these financing possibilities, how such a company is built up, are different. This initial spark has been helped a lot by the Innovation Call. But other partners such as the Chamber of Commerce and the “Austria Wirtschafts Service”, which provide funding in this green preseed area, have also helped us massively to get on our feet.

_Christian Lampert:_ Exciting approach and exciting how it is starting.
We have Walter Amann with us as our second interviewee. Walter, you are the managing director of the Forstbetriebsgemeinschaft Jagdberg. What does the Forstbetriebsgemeinschaft actually do and what are your tasks? 

_Walter Amann:_ The Forstbetriebsgemeinschaft is now an association of 12 forest owners. We consist of six communities and six agricultural communities. It is the first forest management association that exists in Vorarlberg, the FBG Jagdberg started in 2001. The areas are located in the Walgau, south side, but in the meantime we have also expanded towards Brandnertal. We also serve the community of Bürserberg. What does a forestry company do, what does a forester do? We try to manage the forests that are entrusted to us, but of course also to maintain them. As should be known, the forest has a lot of functions to fulfill. It is not only about harvesting the wood and trying to sell it as lucratively as possible. We have many other extensive tasks to fulfill.

_Christian Lampert:_ In the meantime, the sustainability issue, global warming, the whole range of topics, is very much discussed.what demands are made on the forest nowadays? What is its benefit and how can man support it?

_Walter Amann:_ It is certainly a very exciting time that is accompanying us at the moment. On the subject of climate change, especially in the forest, we have a major challenge. As previously stated, the forest fulfills many functions. Especially in Vorarlberg, it is not only the utility and recreational function, but also the protective function such as air pollution control, protection against erosion, avalanches, etc.. These functions must also be fulfilled in the future. We are all aware of how fast climate change is happening. We know how fast average temperatures change and the forest is an inert instrument in this respect. Because we know ourselves, a tree becomes 100 to 300 years old and is now confronted with change in its lifetime. I always have a little example: a tree cannot migrate compared to animals. If an animal gets too cold or too warm, it can change its location. It is the same with humans. But the tree stands at its location and has to cope with this situation and that is a challenge for the forest. Not for the forest really, but for us because we depend on the forest, the forest doesn't need us, we need it. At some point, the forest would naturally adapt to these new challenges, different temperatures and precipitation situations, etc. However, this takes many decades and during this time the forest then cannot fulfill the function we expect from it. Now we are challenged to maintain and shape this forest so that it can fulfill its functions despite climate change. We promote tree species that can better cope with the expected and already existing situations. The tree species that are already on this frontier now will undergo some transformation. We hope that we make the right decisions so that we all still have the opportunity to experience the forest.
 
_Christian Lampert:_ So we're already hearing, the resources in the forest have very many functions or very many applications. We've already heard from Jodok, with Tree.ly they want to make the whole thing attractive for forest owners as well. Also to keep the forest fresh and young, so to speak, and also to make it operational. How is that from your point of view from a forest management community? How do you benefit from this project, from the cooperation, what does Tree.ly bring you?

_Walter Amann:_ This is a very exciting approach that Jodok Batlogg has developed with Tree.ly. I'm always up for innovation, and I think this is a very good way for forest owners to get additional funding. Forest conversion costs a lot of money and is partly done with tax money. Nevertheless, it is necessary to invest extremely much and maximally in the forest. An alternative to the forest in our situation is: avalanche barriers, concrete, etc. Of course we don't want that and of course it would cost X times more than a healthy forest. Now, this opportunity allows us to use the forest as a CO₂ reservoir in a certain way. The possibility of additional financial resources to lure, which are ultimately also invested in the forest. This gives us greater scope to be able to concern ourselves even more intensively with the care, future and development of forests -actually for our descendants. After all, this is necessary and important. Probably at some point the state, federal government or even the EU will have to react, they will realise that the forest is in a difficult situation. Tax resources will then be made available, for example through grants, but with the cooperation with Tree.ly, the support and money really comes from the business community. After all, this has contributed to and is still partly responsible for the fact that CO₂ pollution in the air is too high. We try to manage the forest so that the raw material wood can be produced. By providing the raw material, we can substitute other energy-intensive raw materials, and at the same time we provide a CO₂ store in the forest. It is the eierlegende Wollmilchsau that we need. On the one hand, we need the CO₂ reservoir to store CO₂ from the air. On the other hand, we also need the forest as a substituting factor in wood utilisation, by using wood more and as optimally as possible.

_Christian Lampert:_ You can actually already hear out, the forest is perhaps, even if it has this image, nothing inert or there is a lot of work, care and money behind it. Tree.ly is in that case another very good instrument, which can support you to provide also these necessary financial resources. From their experience, you are so to say pilot or part of the pilots at Tree.ly. What are your experiences, what can you already give to other forest owners in this respect and what are your advices?

_Walter Amann:_ Of course, we're still at the very beginning. At the moment, the certification phase has to run positively. First via TÜV Nord and then these credits and certifications will be sold on the market. We have not yet earned a single euro with Tree.ly, but we expect to receive money in 2023 and to be able to reinvest it in the forest. It would be great if this opportunity was also offered to small forest owners. Tree.ly is working to make it possible for small forest owners to participate as well. This is especially important because we have a lot of private forest and small structured forests in Vorarlberg. Many feel that the forest functions like a piggy bank, one that sits around and stands on its side, one that you don't touch. The additional source of income motivates forest owners to be involved with the forest. It's not that you can get extremely rich, but it's definitely possible to farm. This management, as we have it in Vorarlberg in particular, is in my opinion very exemplary for other countries. We are very small-scale, extremely close to nature, and we can prove this on the basis of various studies. Our type of forest management should actually have been lived in Vorarlberg for decades, centuries. It is very positive that we not only produce wood, but can also prove very good references from the biodiversity side in an ecological way.

_Christian Lampert:_ Thank you Walter for the exciting insight, really important how this is to the view of the forest enterprise and forest owner. Jodok vlt. briefly back to you for the conclusion for our podcast. You have your location in the Postgarage in Dornbirn, which is also a kind of Innovation Hub that we have in Vorarlberg. How important is it for you to have this environment or to be in Vorarlberg in general? Is this the right location decision to be able to implement something like this?

_Jodok Batlogg:_ For me, the decision was made several years ago. I want to be able to get to work on foot or by bike and still experience mutual exchange, social contacts and working together. With various companies, the campus area is always a magnet, an exciting point where many things happen.

_Christian Lampert:_ Something I haven't asked yet, but which probably interests many of our listeners, is how many people actually work at Tree.ly? How many heads are involved in developing it?

_Jodok Batlogg:_ There are about eleven people in our company now. What's exciting is where people are at the moment, it's constantly changing. Lukas is currently in Andelsbuch in the Guten Stube, so he doesn't have to drive to Dornbirn every day. Tobias is in Valencia right now because the fall is a bit too humid for him. Then we have Marie, who is in Tarifa right now and will go back to Northern Germany later. Matthias is in Boston. Isa is getting her kids used to the new rhythm at school right now and is working from home a lot. Stefanie, Fiona and Alexander are in Dornbirn and not to forget Roman, because he is based in Carinthia. So everyone can work with us, no matter where he/she is and how he/she travels. That's super fun, because people are in all kinds of places and we still meet somewhere together at regular intervals.

_Christian Lampert:_ That sounds like a very broad, internationally positioned young start-up actually with headquarters in Vorarlberg. Where is the journey going, what are your plans, maybe even dreams, where should Tree.ly be in a few years? 

_Jodok Batlogg:_ That's exactly what I enjoy, working with a young, old, totally diverse group. For people who want to make a difference, rallying people like that around me and spending time with them is just insanely fun. The question that drives us is, what does a world that works for everyone look like? That's actually the question where I think everyone can start. I'm looking at, what does my world that I live in look like that works for everyone. How do I conduct myself and how do we build our business? Then also very concretely, what do I do myself so that this vision is also visible. We ask ourselves this question again and again, and when we work together in a setting like this and this question comes up again in between, you always meet more people who think this way. That's totally fun to be a part of such a new upcoming community, it's like a secret handshake of people being in a club.

_Christian Lampert:_ That's perfect, that's the best closing we can have here. I say, thank you very much for the interview, thank you very much for the exciting insights. All the best and good luck. We are looking forward to hearing from you and your project in the coming years.

Special thanks to WISTO for the interview.

Click [here](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SzcicKQA79ePfRiOcyQmG) to listen to the podcast.
Click[ here](https://www.wisto.at/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/VN_221015_Regionaler-Klimaschutz-mit-digitalem-Support.pdf) to read the article.

Read more: Check out [how climate change affects European forests](https://tree.ly/blog/climate-change-european-forests). And learn more about Tree.ly [here.](https://tree.ly/blog/what-does-treely-do)

* [Treely for Forest Owner sign up](https://tree.ly/sign-up/step-1)
* [Treely for Carbon Buyers](https://tree.ly/for-companies)






A conversation with Walter Amann from the FBG Jagdberg and Jodok Batlogg

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Stille Helden des Waldes: Ergebnisse der Bundeswaldinventur 2016–2021

**The results of the last National Forest Inventory in Austria are phenomenal! The efforts of the forestry industry are obvious and should be honoured.**

- Forest area increases to 47 percent
- More and more deciduous wood in forests
- The wood stock is increasing, less harvesting than growing 
- More dead wood remains in the forest

In recent times, forests and forestry have been the subject of public discourses. During the hot periods of recent years, some forests have lost vitality and there has been an increase of media coverarge about calamities such as bark beetle invasions, forest fires and storm damage. Therefore, criticism of forestry has become louder and louder. But it is very important to differ forest regions and news about calamities, as most of the forests have a positive development.

At the same time, the performance of forestry remains unnoticed and is taken for granted. Most of the work is done behind the scenes, and the National Forest Inventory of Austria shows for example that foresters work every day to create and maintain a stock-rich, resilient and diverse forest; they act as silent heroes in the forest.

The National Forest Inventory shows that forest area in Austria is steadily increasing. There are 4.02 million hectares are covered with forests, that is 47 percent of the total state area and every day 6 hectares are added. With that Austria has one of the highest percentages of forest cover in Europe. 

The composition of the forests is also changing. Monoculture coniferous stands are continuously being converted into deciduous and mixed stands. Over the last decade, six percent of pure coniferous stands have been transformed into mixed deciduous forests. In addition, deciduous pure stands have increased by eight percent. This development is by no means natural. Conversion of forests is explicitly driven by foresters. If no actions were taken, the existing coniferous areas would be rejuvenated, and the entry of hardwoods would only be gradual. With selective use, light is created in the forest stand and the growth of mixed tree species is enabled and accelerated. 

Another reason to celebrate is the current peak of the timber stock. The Austrian Forest contains 1.1 billion cubic meters of wood and the stock is increasing, 26 million cubic meters are added every year and only 89 percent of it is used annually. It can be said that one cubic meter of wood grows every second in Austria. 

At the same time, the proportion of deadwood has increased by 18 percent according to the National Forest Inventory. Accordingly, old trees are more often left in the stand and transferred to the natural decay phase. This creates additional habitat for numerous species of animals, plants and fungi and benefit the forest's interior climate. This provides the forest with stability,resilience and diversity. 

The National Forest Inventory shows that forestry strives for a natural and ecologically valuable forest, expands the forest in Austria and at the same time provides the naturally renewable raw material wood for the processes in the wood value chain. This service of foresters to the forest itself and to society deserves greater attention. 

All results of the Austrian National Forest Inventory can be viewed on the website of the [Bundesforschungszentrums für Wald](https://geo.bfw.ac.at/oewi/#/).

**Read more:**
Check out [how climate change affects European forests](https://tree.ly/blog/climate-change-european-forests).
And learn more about Tree.ly [here](https://tree.ly/blog/what-does-treely-do).

- [Treely for Forest Owner sign up](https://tree.ly/sign-up/step-1)
- [Treely for Carbon Buyers](https://tree.ly/for-companies)

Silent Heroes: Results of the last Austrian Forest Inventory 2016-2021

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