Tree Cities of the World Program Expands by 34% in 2025
Event summary
- The Arbor Day Foundation and FAO recognized 283 communities as 2025 Tree Cities of the World, a 34% increase from 2024.
- This marks the largest single-year jump in participation since the program launched in 2018.
- Recognized cities span 25 countries and 6 continents, with populations ranging from 3,000 to 12 million.
- Over 410 million people now live in Tree Cities of the World.
The big picture
The rapid expansion of the Tree Cities program reflects growing municipal interest in urban forestry as a tool for sustainability and climate resilience. With over 68% of the global population expected to live in urban areas by 2050, this initiative aligns with broader efforts like FAO's Green Cities Initiative to create more livable and resilient urban environments.
What we're watching
- Program Scaling
- Whether the Arbor Day Foundation can sustain this growth pace while maintaining program standards.
- Funding Impact
- How increased recognition translates into municipal funding for urban forestry initiatives.
- Global Adoption
- The pace at which additional countries and cities join the Tree Cities network.