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> News > USU Launches “Towards One Million Trees” Initiative to Strengthen Climate Action and Carbon Mitigation

USU Launches “Towards One Million Trees” Initiative to Strengthen Climate Action and Carbon Mitigation

Published At

04 January 2026

Published By

Rahmad Eko Febrianto

Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with national and international partners, has launched the Towards One Million Trees initiative as part of its long-term commitment to climate action and carbon emission reduction. The program aims to promote large-scale tree planting as a practical mitigation strategy to address climate change and environmental degradation.

Carbon dioxide emissions remain one of the main drivers of global warming and climate change. Through this initiative, USU encourages collective participation from students, academics, communities, and partners in supporting tree planting activities under the Tree Adoption Movement. The program reflects the university’s effort to translate climate awareness into concrete and measurable action.

First Phase of Tree Planting and Community Participation

The first phase of the program was marked by the planting of 1,000 trees on 20 September 2025. The activity involved students, local communities, and partner institutions working together to restore green spaces and improve environmental resilience. Tree species planted included productive and ecological varieties that contribute to both environmental protection and community benefits.

This initiative is designed as a continuous program, with subsequent planting phases planned to gradually achieve the target of one million trees. Each planting activity is carried out with an emphasis on long-term maintenance to ensure tree survival and sustained environmental impact.

Digital Monitoring for Transparency and Accountability

To ensure transparency and long-term monitoring, USU introduced a digital tree monitoring system through a dedicated application. Every planted tree is recorded with detailed information, including location coordinates, planting date, tree species, and growth condition. Progress is periodically updated through photo documentation and monitoring reports.

Through this system, tree adopters are officially recorded as contributors to greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts. This digital approach allows USU to maintain accountability while providing measurable evidence of climate action, which is essential for institutional sustainability reporting.

Supporting Climate Action and Sustainable Development Goals

The Towards One Million Trees initiative directly supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing carbon emissions and enhancing climate resilience. It also contributes to SDG 15 (Life on Land) through ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration among universities, research institutions, and the wider community.

By integrating environmental action with digital monitoring and community participation, Universitas Sumatera Utara continues to strengthen its role as an active contributor to sustainable development. The initiative demonstrates how higher education institutions can lead climate mitigation efforts while building long-term environmental stewardship.

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