Restoring nature

As a global leader in sustainability, we’re applying the power of our connected technology and our experience decarbonizing our own operations to help others embrace more environmentally sustainable practices.

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Working with nature, powered by technology

We are innovating with technology, including our world-leading network, to help make our planet healthier. Leveraging our partnerships and technology expertise, we apply new and emerging technologies to support nature-based solutions.

Purchase select Android devices and we’ll plant a tree

Plus, double the impact with a bonus tree when you trade in your current device.¹² Let’s restore nature, one phone at a time.

Shop Android phones

Front view of the Google Pixel 8. The screen displays Google's Circle to Search feature used on an image of a forest.

Over the past two decades, we’ve planted 11.3 million trees and counting

In 2023 alone, we contributed to:

RESTORATION AREA

4,060 hectares

Compared to 27,000 hockey rinks.

TOTAL TREES

6,530,281

Compared to planting 725,000 studio apartments full of trees.

TOTAL KELP

513,185 PLANTS

ESTIMATED CO² TO BE SEQUESTERED

1.9 MILLION TONNES

Compared to removing 420,000 cars from the road for one year.

EMPLOYEES HIRED

126

Explore how your business can join TELUS in our mission to restore nature

Our nature-based solutions are now available for purchase. We'd love to discuss how your company can contribute to nature restoration projects.

A tree planter digging a hole in the dirt with a shovel.

Differentiate your business

Discover how technology-enabled nature restoration can accelerate your business’ ESG goals in our latest insights paper.

Download our free insights paper

Restoration methods and initiatives

Ocean and marine ecosystem management

Restoring and protecting ocean and marine ecosystems through seaforestation (kelp planting), reducing plastic pollution‌ and supporting aquatic species protection.

Habitat enhancement

Restoring and protecting ecosystems through wildlife habitat recovery, habitat connectivity improvement‌ and biodiversity conservation.

Green land cover restoration

Restoring forest ecosystems through reforestation and afforestation while applying ecosystem-based management to other vegetated areas such as wetlands and grasslands.

Biodiversity monitoring

Developing infrastructure and technology to support native biodiversity, monitoring restoration progress‌ and gathering actionable data.

Restoration locations

We are continually expanding our reforestation efforts, both in Canada and internationally.

Canada

International

Water and trees off the coast of Hotham Sound.

Hotham Sound, British Columbia

Kelp ordered

513,185

Forest Type

Kelp

This project aims to create a mixed-use commercial kelp forest, benefiting local Indigenous groups through restored fisheries, ecosystem services‌ and kelp harvesting.

Alberta

Trees planted

1,039,841

Forest type

Boreal and temperate forests

Shakti by TELUS is an environmentally-focused reforestation company specializing in site preparation, seed collection, tree sourcing and tree planting, supported by custom-built tools and mapping systems.

View of a post-burn forest in British Columbia.

Nationally

Trees planted

500,000

Forest Type

Boreal, temperate and dry pine forests

Drone-enabled seedling planting in post-wildfire areas can help accelerate the natural regeneration process while supporting a range of native tree species that help forests become more resilient.

Kenya

Mbuguni

Trees ordered

555,556

Forest Type

Mangrove

Located on Kenya’s Likoni river delta, this mangrove forest helps stabilize and protect the landscape from erosion and creates valuable nurseries in a unique ecosystem.

Following best-in class guidelines

In working towards our goal, we will be following established restoration frameworks developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Resources Institute (WRI).

Grounded in transparency and accountability, for each of our projects we work with key partners to define project needs, collect relevant data, monitor progress regularly and report findings openly.

An aerial view of a beach with trees in the background.

Our partners

Frequently asked questions

Why nature-based solutions?

Healthy ecosystems are foundational to the health and well-being of our communities. Nature-based solutions refer to actions that restore, protect‌ and sustainably manage natural systems of all kinds. These solutions address societal and environmental challenges, such as climate change, food and water security‌ and biodiversity loss, and produce a wide range of benefits for both people and nature.

Investment in natural capital, when done well, contributes to risk mitigation and provides valuable ecosystem services over the long term. Considering the full suite of environmental, economic‌ and social benefits provided by nature enhances resilience and helps build a more sustainable future.

Where will TELUS restoration initiatives take place?

How can I purchase the trees/kelp/mangroves?

What is the TELUS Environmental Solutions team’s mission?

We want to foster a sustainable future by providing innovative and impactful environmental solutions to both businesses and individuals. Grounded in our commitment to sustainability, we create positive change by offering nature-based solutions that contribute to reforestation, marine ecosystem health, carbon sequestration and a range of other environmental, economic and social benefits.

Through our efforts, we strive to empower our customers and partners to take meaningful steps towards a greener, low-carbon future.

What solutions does the TELUS Environmental Solutions team currently provide?

How do we estimate our metrics and impact across projects?

We recognize that quantifying the benefits and services provided by nature-based solutions can be challenging and complex, particularly given their dynamic nature. We aim to be as conservative and transparent in our estimations as possible and refer to peer-reviewed sources when relevant.

Carbon sequestration estimates reflect the total amount stored over a tree’s lifetime. Data and estimates for all mangrove trees and kelp plants are derived directly from veritree, with reference to published methods.¹

For each tree planted in Canada, we estimate that 0.3 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide will be sequestered.² ³ within its lifetime. We will continue refining this estimate over time to consider factors such as species, geographic location and other environmental variables.

Other assumptions for our impact metrics include:⁴

1 car off the road for a year = 4.6 metric tonnes carbon dioxide
1 hectare = 1.85 football fields
1 hectare = 178 studio apartments

Data sources:

(1) Jones TG, Ratsimba HR, Ravaoarinorotsihoarana L, Cripps G, Bey A. Ecological Variability and Carbon Stock Estimates of Mangrove Ecosystems in Northwestern Madagascar. Forests. 2014; 5(1):177-205. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/5/1/177

(2) Bernal, B., Murray, L.T. & Pearson, T.R.H. Global carbon dioxide removal rates from forest landscape restoration activities. Carbon Balance Manage 13, 22 (2018). https://cbmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13021-018-0110-8

(3) Bernet, R. (2023, July 25). How much CO2 does a tree absorb?. One Tree Planted. https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/how-much-co2-does-tree-absorb

(4) https://www.veritree.com/impact-hub/telus

View terms and conditions

From April 18, 2024 - to May 16, 2024. For every new acquisition or renewing customer that purchases a select new Android mid-tier device, retail price of $500 or more, or Android certified pre-owned device, we'll plant one tree. Additionally, when trading in any preloved device in participating stores, we'll plant one tree. Promotion eligible in select TELUS and Koodo stores, online or via customer services representative. Trees planted will be to a maximum of 50,000 trees.
Google Circle to Search feature is available on compatible devices and requires an internet connection. Results may vary and are for illustrative purposes only.