Melo Villareal
veritree’s technology will be brought to Asia for the first time in Manulife Impact Forest sites in Japan and the Philippines
MANILA — Manulife recently introduced Manulife Impact Forests, a worldwide network of restoration sites aimed at boosting biodiversity, supporting local communities, and strengthening climate resilience. In collaboration with our community planting partners and veritree, the platform that verifies nature restoration projects, Impact Forests advance Manulife’s commitment to a healthier planet, delivering benefits for both people and the environment.
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 becomes the first corporate partner to adopt veritree’s Smart Forest technology for its reforestation projects. This partnership also introduces the technology to Asia, with initial deployments at Manulife Impact Forest sites in Japan and the Philippines.
veritree’s technology integrates satellite imagery, ground data, and bioacoustic monitoring to support sustainable forest management. This approach accurately maps planting zones and helps select tree species that foster healthy forests and long-term benefits. Integrated into Manulife Impact Forest sites, veritree’s proprietary platform provides real-time insights and transparency throughout each restoration project’s lifecycle. Currently, the Manulife Impact Forests include sites across Canada, the U.S., Cambodia, Japan, and the Philippines. So far, over 160 hectares—about 8,161 tennis courts—have been restored.
“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 to Manulife’s veritree impact platform, allowing real-time tracking of Smart Forests. Trees planted worldwide will be linked to specific outcomes like carbon sequestration, land restoration, biodiversity improvements, and community advantages such as job creation and education. Over 185,000 trees have already been planted.
“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 partnership with Haribon Foundation continues to promote reforestation and biodiversity efforts through native tree planting and community programs. All native trees planted by Haribon for Manulife are tracked with veritree’s Smart Forest Technology, which provides real-time updates on growth, carbon absorption, and biodiversity impacts, ensuring transparency and measurable results. By the end of 2025, Manulife Philippines and Haribon have planted over 31,000 trees in terrestrial and coastal regions nationwide.
“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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