5 projects for people and nature in the Philippines

Find out which projects Click A Tree is using to make a positive impact in the Philippines

Felix Hüwer
24/06/2025

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When we talk about sustainability, many people first think of climate protection, carbon offsetting or plastic avoidance. All of this is important – but one crucial question often remains unanswered: How do local people actually benefit from this?

This is exactly where Click A Tree’s projects for people and nature in the Philippines come in. It’s not just about planting mangroves or collecting plastic. It’s about creating long-term opportunities – with projects for people and nature.

These five project areas show how real, holistic impact works.

1. planting mangroves - and securing livelihoods

Mangroves are real climate heroes. They are one of the three most important carbon-storing ecosystems, provide habitats for countless species and protect coasts from storm surges.

But their value goes far beyond ecological functions – especially in the Philippines, where the planted mangroves create paid jobs for local people. And not just for one day or one project – but for the long term. Click A Tree works with local workers who not only plant the trees, but also care for them and support their development.

For many people, this is a real prospect. The money earned from planting secures their daily income, strengthens local economic cycles and gives people a meaningful task with a measurable impact.

Ulrich Kronberg, the main person responsible for the project, has been living in the Philippines himself for over 30 years.

Want to find out more about mangroves? 11 amazing mangrove facts

2. collect plastic and promote education

Plastic waste is one of the most pressing environmental problems of our time. The oceans are suffering from tons of waste – with catastrophic consequences for marine life, coral reefs and coastal regions.

The special thing about the project in the Philippines: For every mangrove tree planted, 1?kg of plastic waste is collected from the sea. It is mainly collected on beaches, in shallow water zones or between mangroves. This directly relieves particularly sensitive ecosystems.

But that is only the first step: the collected plastic does not end up in landfill, but at the Winder Recycling Company in Davao. There it is sorted, processed – and turned into colorful school chairs.

These sturdy, colorful chairs end up in classrooms like the Doña Rosa G. Rabat Memorial High School. The children there benefit twice over: from more seats and a daily learning environment that inspires through upcycling.

It takes 30 kg of marine plastic to make a school chair – the final chair is of course lighter!

3. involving older people - and protecting the sea

Not everyone can do physically hard work. For many older people in the Philippines, it is difficult to find paid work – especially in rural areas or on remote islands. Here, the project offers access to meaningful employment and the opportunity to supplement their own pension.

The plastic collection initiative is particularly suitable for senior citizens – because it is less physically demanding than planting or caring for trees. At the same time, it makes a massive contribution to cleaning up the coasts.

This creates a win-win situation:

Older people secure an additional income alongside their pension
The marine environment is relieved – and on a large scale

For many of those involved, this is more than just a job: it is a form of participation and appreciation.

4. transforming marine plastic into houses - and braving the weather

The Philippines is one of the countries most affected by the consequences of the climate crisis. Typhoons, flooding and erosion regularly affect people – especially in coastal regions. There is often a lack of stable, weatherproof housing here. Click A Trees projects for people and nature provide a remedy here.

A new project by Click A Tree uses the collected plastic material to make recycled building elements for simple but stable houses. The idea: resource-saving construction that also improves the quality of life.

The houses withstand wind and weather much better than simple huts made of wood or corrugated iron. This not only avoids waste – it also creates safe havens for families who previously lived in precarious housing conditions.

This project is still in the trial phase. But it is already clear that building with plastic waste is possible – and makes sense.

5. protect the environment - and preserve biodiversity

A project of this size for people and nature needs expertise – and a deep understanding of the interactions in the ecosystem. That is why Click A Tree works closely with various auditors. For the Philippines project, this is the renowned marine ecologist Dr. Lea A. Jimenez, who is providing scientific support for the initiative.

Together with her team, she coordinates the planting activities, as different locations are required depending on the type of mangrove.

Mangroves are far more than just “trees by the sea”. They are among the most species-rich and at the same time most endangered ecosystems in the world. Their gnarled roots protrude from the water like natural sculptures – and a small world of its own has formed between these roots. It is home to thousands of species of fish, crabs, mussels and many more. It is also nicknamed the “nursery of the seas” because many fish species grow up here before migrating into the open sea. This biodiversity also protects us, because the more species-rich an ecosystem is, the more resistant it is to disturbances such as storms, diseases or climate change.

13 different mangrove species are planted, including Avicennia officinalis

Want to find out more about the Philippines project? Take a look at our Impact Report! Or support our projects for people and nature and contact us now for a customized solution.