The Hanwha Solar Forest: A Cross-sector Desertification Initiative Growing to Fight Climate Change

The Hanwha Solar Forest: A Cross-sector Desertification Initiative Growing to Fight Climate Change


In countries where deserts are not commonplace, desertification may sound like a distant issue. However, the situation is more dire than one may think. Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, once said that one of the most serious problems confronting civilization is desertification. According to the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification), desertification directly affects 3.2 billion people worldwide.

To help resolve the problem of desertification, Hanwha is committed to realizing its mission of addressing climate change, energy depletion, and energy poverty challenges. Through efforts such as planting trees and promoting afforestation, it hopes to bring positive change to the global community. Furthermore, Hanwha will continue to advance clean technologies and promote pathways toward a sustainable, green future. Hanwha will actively pursue cross-sector collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society groups, where each member plays an integral role in helping humanity overcome this existential threat.

On a sunny day, a young boy writes a message for Hanwha Solar Forest visitors on a card while surrounded by friends

A young Forest Hero leaves a message for future visitors to the 7th Hanwha Solar Forest

What is Hanwha Solar Forest?

Hanwha Solar Forest participants plant trees in a barren field, creating a small forest that surrounds three lines of solar panels

The second Hanwha Solar Forest pre-afforestation in Ningxia, China, 2013 (top), and post-afforestation in 2017 (bottom)

Hanwha Solar Forest began in 2011 in partnership with Tree Planet, a social venture company, to create eco-friendly forests locally and globally. The initiative is a standout amongst its peers due to its use of solar energy to power nurseries.

Traditionally, sapling nurseries are powered by electricity produced from fossil fuels. Ironically, this method releases more carbon into the atmosphere—the very same carbon afforestation efforts aim to remove. By contrast, Hanwha Solar Forest nurseries are powered by electricity produced from Hanwha’s solar panels. This solar energy supports the clean water supply, temperature and humidity control, and lighting conditions required to nurture saplings, resulting in a more environmentally friendly, carbon-neutral forest. At a general meeting of the UNCCD in 2011, the initiative was cited as the world’s first corporate practice of utilizing solar energy to fight desertification.

The History of Hanwha Solar Forest

Since the program’s launch, Hanwha has created nine forests throughout South Korea, China, and Mongolia. Over half a million trees have been planted across 1.43 million square meters, equivalent to 200 soccer fields. In 2022, Hanwha completed its ninth solar forest in Hongcheon, South Korea. Titled the “Carbon Absorbing Forest” for its ability to absorb up to 102 tons of carbon dioxide per year, it is considered to be one of the most eco-friendly forests in the world.



Launched in 2011, the Hanwha Solar Forest program addresses climate change by planting trees and installing solar panels A Hanwha Solar Forest sign stands among trees on a sunny winter day, offering details on the program that fights climate change On a sunny day, a newly planted Hanwha Solar Forest surrounds lines of solar panels producing green energy Children holding shovels plant trees in Seoul, Korea to fight desertification through the Hanwha Solar Forest program Children show a Hanwha Solar Forest participant a tree that was planted to reduce carbon emissions in Ningxia, China A Hanwha Solar Forest in Seosan, Korea and in Ningxia, China will help stop desertification and combat climate change Dozens of Hanwha Solar Forest participants in Incheon, Korea pose for a photo in front of rows of carbon emissions reducing trees Hanwha Solar Fores participants plant trees on a hill to combat climate change in Samcheok City, Korea Participants for Hanwha Solar Forest plant one of the most eco-friendly forests in the world in Hongcheon, South Korea.




Discover more of what makes each Hanwha Solar Forest unique as a part of Hanwha’s Energy for Life Initiatives.

Inspiring Climate Action with Greener Practices and Public Engagement

To commemorate its 10-year anniversary in June 2020, Hanwha launched an upgraded version of the campaign’s mobile application, Solar Forest. With more than 160,000 downloads to date, the mobile app has successfully spread awareness and kept the public engaged, incentivizing participants to plant trees virtually.

At the time, the 8th Solar Forest could have been halted due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Hanwha was able to use the unique circumstances to create its most impressive forest yet with the support of the Solar Forest app. Hanwha was able to engage the public in the project virtually, providing them with a contactless way to engage with the campaign. Participants were encouraged to nurture and grow virtual trees within the app, with Hanwha promising to match every virtual tree with a real one planted in a designated region. The direct results of users’ efforts through the app were also seen through the recent completion of the 9th solar forest, in which Hanwha donated 16,356 trees in total, surpassing its original goal of 12,000 trees.

On a partly cloudy day, Hanwha solar panels produce green energy, sprinklers water plants, and tree saplings grow in nurseries

Hanwha’s solar-powered nurseries grow trees for planting, making sure every step is truly sustainable

Designing Hanwha Solar Forest as a sustainable, carbon-neutral initiative underscores Hanwha’s commitment to ushering in a greener future for all. Creating a genuinely carbon-neutral forest by using solar energy to mature saplings is a remarkable achievement that sets the standard for afforestation efforts. Hanwha continues to find ways to utilize solar power and other green energy sources to improve our world and positively impact the global community.

At its core, the goal is to reforest vulnerable regions without causing further harm to the environment by way of carbon emissions. Using solar energy to replace harmful fossil fuels made the dream of an eco-friendly, carbon-neutral forest a reality.

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