Ant Group on Friday said its Ant Forest initiative has turned digital engagement into measurable environmental gains, as it detailed the program’s progress at the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
Chairman Eric Jing said Ant Forest exemplified the power of digital platforms to transform daily habits into large-scale environmental progress. “By harnessing technology and collective participation, we can inspire people everywhere to build a greener future,” Jing told delegates.
Turning Digital Points Into Real Trees
Launched in 2016 on the Alipay app, Ant Forest encourages users to take eco-friendly actions such as cycling, recycling, or using public transport. These actions earn virtual “green energy points” that translate into funding for tree planting, habitat restoration and biodiversity projects.
Users can redeem their points to grow virtual trees that correspond to real ones planted in reforestation areas.
As of August 2025, more than 750 million users in China have joined the initiative, leading to the planting of 619 million trees.
The project has also created jobs in rural areas, where communities help nurture and protect the forests.
Jing said the initiative shows that small, consistent actions, when multiplied through technology, can generate meaningful environmental and social results. He added that digital participation at this scale represents a powerful model for grassroots climate action.
Expanding Green Action Through Partnerships
Building on its success, Ant Forest has evolved into an open platform that partners with companies and organizations to promote low-carbon behavior.
Nike’s “Recycle-A-Shoe” mini program, launched within Alipay in 2022, allows users to send worn-out shoes for recycling. The shoes are dismantled and repurposed into sustainable sports courts using Nike Grind technology.
Participants earn Ant Forest points for their efforts, which they can redeem to support ecological restoration projects.
By October 2025, Nike had recycled 430,000 pairs of shoes and helped create 50 Nike Grind sports courts across China. The partnership has promoted circular design principles and reduced waste in urban areas.
Sabrina Peng, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer of Ant Group, said the company is expanding its digital engagement to include biodiversity awareness.
In 2021, Ant Forest launched the Fantastic Species project, which allows users to learn about rare animals through interactive experiences. In 2024, the initiative collaborated with IUCN to release the Red List of Fantastic Species at COP29, spotlighting endangered wildlife and encouraging public participation in conservation.
Inspiring Global Conservation Models
The Ant Forest model has influenced similar sustainability programs worldwide. In the Philippines, mobile wallet GCash launched GForest in 2019, enabling users to adopt low-carbon habits and contribute to reforestation efforts.
At this year’s Congress, DANA and Ant International, in partnership with Konservasi International, introduced Ocean Buddy — a new in-app program to raise awareness of marine conservation among DANA’s 200 million users in Indonesia.
The gamified platform encourages users to support whale shark protection along Java’s southern coast and participate in community cleanups and ocean education drives.
“With global partners, may our small acts turn into a green future. Tech for good, tech for nature—this is our promise for the future,” Jing said.
Global Recognition
Ant Forest has earned global recognition for scaling citizen-led climate action. Fortune ranked Ant Group sixth on its “Change the World” list in 2017 for the program’s measurable environmental impact.
The United Nations also honored Ant Forest with its top environmental accolade, the “Champions of the Earth” award, followed by the “Global Climate Action” award for its innovative use of digital technology in sustainability.
The model, built on gamification and user participation, continues to shape how digital ecosystems can mobilize large-scale environmental action across Asia and beyond.
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