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Manulife is the first corporate
partner to implement veritree’s Smart Forest technology in sites across the
globe
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veritree’s technology will be
brought to Asia for the first time in Manulife Impact Forest sites in Japan and
the Philippines
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To date, Manulife Impact Forests
have restored 160 hectares of land—an area roughly equivalent to 8,161 tennis
courts
MANILA — Manulife recently announced the launch of
Manulife Impact Forests[1] a
global network of restoration sites designed to enhance biodiversity, create
opportunities for local communities, and contribute to climate resilience. Working with our community
planting partners[2] and
veritree, the platform powering verified nature restoration, Impact Forests
enhance Manulife’s efforts to contribute to a healthier planet, with benefits
for people and planet alike.
Manulife Impact Forest in British Columbia, where new trees are
being planted to restore burnt areas. The Nicola Watershed suffered extensive
wildfire damage, affecting over 25,000 hectares of forest.
Manulife
is the first corporate partner to implement veritree’s Smart Forest technology
in its reforestation efforts. This collaboration also marks the debut of this
technology in Asia, with deployments in Manulife Impact Forest locations in
Japan and the Philippines.
Manulife Impact Forests are a global forest restoration
initiative.
veritree’s
technology combines satellite imagery, ground-level data, and bioacoustic
monitoring to guide sustainable forest management. This innovative approach
ensures accurate mapping of planting areas and selection of tree species that
promote healthy forests and lasting benefits. Embedded into Manulife Impact
Forest sites, veritree’s proprietary platform will deliver real-time insights
and transparency throughout the lifecycle of each restoration project. The
Manulife Impact Forests currently include sites in Canada, the U.S., Cambodia,
Japan, and the Philippines. To date, more than 160 hectares of land, an area
roughly equivalent to 8,161 tennis courts, have been restored.
Photo of equipment used in veritree’s Smart Forest design.
“Manulife
is proud to announce the Manulife Impact Forests and to collaborate with
veritree in deploying their groundbreaking Smart Forest Design technology
around the world,” said Ariel Kangasniemi, Global Chief Sustainability
Officer at Manulife. “As a business that is driven to help people live
better, for longer, we believe that when nature does well, people do well. This
collaboration exemplifies how innovation, accountability, and environmental
stewardship can come together for the benefit of both.”
Data
from Manulife’s Impact Forests will be uploaded within Manulife’s veritree impact platform, enabling real-time monitoring of
Smart Forests. Trees planted within these sites across the globe will be tied
to measurable outcomes: tonnes of carbon sequestered, hectares restored,
biodiversity gains, and community benefits such as job creation and education.
More than 185,000 trees have been planted so far.
Manulife Impact Forest in California. Following the 2013 Rim Fire,
restoration efforts are underway.
“This
is what scalable, verifiable restoration looks like,” said Derrick Emsley, CEO
and Co-Founder of veritree. “Nature-based solutions are only as powerful as the
trust people have in them. Through this partnership with Manulife, we’re
proving that restoration can be both high-integrity and high-tech, connecting
trees planted to real data, real people, and real results.”
In
the Philippines, Manulife’s existing partnership with Haribon Foundation
continues to advance reforestation and biodiversity conservation efforts
through native tree planting and community engagement programs. All native
trees planted by Haribon for Manulife will be monitored by veritree's Smart
Forest Technology, enabling real-time tracking of growth, carbon sequestration,
and biodiversity impact to ensure transparency and measurable outcomes. As of
the end of 2025, Manulife Philippines and Haribon have planted more than 31,000
plants in terrestrial and coastal areas across the country.
“As one of the most climate-vulnerable
countries in the world, the Philippines faces increasing risks from extreme
weather events. This underscores the urgency of investing in initiatives that
safeguard our natural ecosystems and uplift and empower local communities. The
Manulife Impact Forests initiative reflects Manulife’s commitment to
sustainability and longevity, ensuring that future generations inherit a
healthier planet,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Manulife Philippines.
To learn more about Manulife’s
sustainability initiatives and community partnerships, visit Manulife.com/sustainability. To learn more about veritree’s
technology, visit veritree.com.
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