What
UNDP-BIOFIN and GCash, the Philippine’s largest mobile wallet, have worked together to create GCash’s GForest app. It is the first app in the Philippines that allows users to reforest the Philippines by collecting green energy points that can be used to plant an actual tree. It is one of the biggest digital environmental movements in the country.

Goal
The GForest app aims to give people the power to reduce their carbon footprint by helping rebuild forests in the Philippines. Users can earn ‘green energy points’ by paying bills, sending money, or saving money for example. Once enough green energy points are collected, users can plant a native tree.

Recent activities

• A partnership, facilitated by UNDP-BIOFIN, between the World Wildlife Fund Philippines (WWF) and GCash resulted in a Memorandum of Agreement to restore 300 hectares in the Ipo Watershed. This is a vital link in the Angat-Umiray-Ipo watersheds system which supplies around 96% of what water needs in Metro Manila. Since 2019, a total of 220,000 seedlings of native trees, from at least 15 species, have been planted and have a recorded survival rate of 90%. WWF works closely with the Ipo Watershed People’s Organizations Federation, Inc in restoring and protecting the Ipo watershed.

• As of June 2023, GCash has planted 2.4 million trees in Ipo Watershed, Bulacan, La Mesa Ecopark, Culion, Palawn, Luyang Watershed, Cebu, Tañon Strait, Negros Oriental, General Santos, Sarangani and Koronadal, and South Cotabato.

• As of October 2023, there are 14.9 million users of GForest translating into a potential 14.9 million native trees to be planted.

Benefits

• Not only does the GForest app help prevent the loss of nature, in Culion, Palawan, the mangrove restoration efforts are having far reaching benefits. It will help support the coastal, marine tourism and fishery industries that depends on these habitats.

• In addition, the partnership with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc in Cebu led to livelihood opportunities for almost 100 farmers from 12 associations who participated in the production of the native tree seedlings; timber and/or agroforestry development; and enhancement of training, maintenance, and monitoring.

• Its partnership with the Century Pacific Food Corporation has helped increase the coconut yield of 2200 coconut farmers in Sarangani and South Cotabato by 55% and boosting their income by 90%. It has also had a positive effect on female farmers, who comprise 40% of farmers.

Synergies with other 10 Point Plan Points
6 – Private Sector Alignment

Relevant links and resources
Earn energy and plant trees in GForest – GCash Help Center