Manulife's 'Smart Forests' Use High-Tech Tools to Tackle Reforestation and Greenwashing

TORONTO, ON – January 13, 2026 – Global financial services giant Manulife is moving beyond traditional corporate philanthropy with the launch of Manulife Impact Forests, a global reforestation initiative powered by advanced technology designed to bring unprecedented transparency and accountability to environmental restoration. In a strategic partnership with veritree, a platform specializing in verifiable nature-based solutions, Manulife is deploying a suite of high-tech tools across project sites from North America to Asia, aiming to set a new standard for corporate environmentalism.

The initiative, which has already restored 160 hectares of land and planted over 185,000 trees, is tackling some of the most pressing criticisms historically leveled at corporate tree-planting efforts: a lack of transparency, questionable long-term impact, and fears of “greenwashing.” By embedding veritree’s Smart Forest technology, Manulife is making a significant bet that data can provide the proof of impact that stakeholders, investors, and the public now demand.

The Tech Behind the Trees: A New Era of Accountability

At the core of the Manulife Impact Forests is veritree's proprietary technology, which moves restoration efforts from simple tree counts to a dynamic, data-rich monitoring system. Manulife is the first corporate partner to implement this 'Smart Forest' design on a global scale, which integrates several layers of cutting-edge technology.

The process begins before a single seed is planted. Satellite imagery and drone mapping are used to create precise, high-resolution maps of restoration areas, allowing for strategic planning that optimizes for ecological recovery. This is particularly crucial in sites like British Columbia's Nicola Watershed, where the initiative is reforesting land devastated by wildfires that burned over 25,000 hectares.

Once planting is underway, a network of on-the-ground sensors provides a stream of real-time data. Bioacoustic monitors - essentially rugged microphones left in the wild - record the sounds of the forest, capturing birdsong and other wildlife noises. This data allows ecologists to track the return of various species, providing a tangible metric for biodiversity gains. This method offers a more holistic view of ecosystem health than simply measuring tree height.

Furthermore, veritree's platform uses a proprietary mobile app for field teams to log georeferenced data for each tree, while IoT sensors can monitor soil moisture and temperature. This granular data is then uploaded to veritree's platform, which uses blockchain technology to create a permanent and immutable record. This approach directly confronts industry-wide issues of double-counting and lack of traceability, ensuring that each tree planted and every claimed benefit is tied to a verifiable data point.

"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."

A Global Footprint with Local Impact

The initiative's scope is deliberately international, reflecting Manulife’s global presence. Current Impact Forest sites are located in Canada, the United States, Cambodia, Japan, and the Philippines. This marks the first time veritree’s Smart Forest technology has been deployed in Asia, bringing this advanced monitoring capability to regions facing unique environmental pressures.

In North America, the focus is often on post-disaster recovery. In addition to the project in British Columbia, restoration is underway in California, addressing damage from the 2013 Rim Fire. Here, the goal is not just to plant trees, but to rebuild resilient forest ecosystems with a mix of native species like Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine that are better suited to withstand future climate shifts.

In Asia, the projects in Japan and the Philippines, supported by planting partners More Trees and the Haribon Foundation respectively, are tailored to different ecological and social contexts. The program aims to deliver community benefits alongside ecological ones, with the veritree platform designed to track metrics like job creation and educational opportunities. This approach acknowledges that sustainable restoration is deeply intertwined with the well-being and economic stability of local populations.

The initial restoration of 160 hectares - an area the company equates to over 8,100 tennis courts - represents a starting point for a long-term commitment. The data gathered from these diverse sites will provide invaluable insights into the most effective restoration techniques for different biomes.

Beyond the Balance Sheet: A Strategic Bet on Sustainability

For a financial institution like Manulife, the Impact Forests initiative is more than an altruistic endeavor; it's a strategic move that aligns with its broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments. The company holds a 'Leader' status with an 'AA' rating from MSCI and a 'Low ESG Risk' rating from Sustainalytics, placing it among the top performers in its industry. This high-tech restoration project serves to reinforce that standing with tangible, verifiable action.

By quantifying outcomes like tonnes of carbon sequestered and biodiversity gains, the initiative provides concrete data that can be integrated into climate risk modeling and sustainability reporting. This level of transparency is increasingly crucial for attracting ESG-focused investors and satisfying regulatory disclosure requirements. It demonstrates a sophisticated approach to managing climate-related risks and opportunities, framing environmental stewardship as a core component of long-term financial resilience.

The partnership with veritree is a clear signal that the financial industry is moving towards a more rigorous standard for its nature-based solutions. The ability to verify impact in near real-time offers a powerful tool for companies seeking to prove their sustainability claims are backed by substance.

"This is what scalable, verifiable restoration looks like," stated 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."

As corporations face growing pressure to contribute meaningfully to climate and biodiversity goals, initiatives like the Manulife Impact Forests will be closely watched. Their success will not be measured merely in the number of trees planted, but in the verified data that proves these new forests are thriving, restoring biodiversity, and supporting communities around the globe.