Monday, July 14, 2025
In a major environmental initiative, Carrefour, FSC Spain, and Mahou San Miguel presented a significant reforestation project on July 1, 2025, aimed at restoring the forested mountains of Las Piñas de Tarifa, located in Cádiz, Spain. This area, a vital ecological zone linking the Los Alcornocales and El Estrecho Natural Parks, was severely impacted by the 2024 wildfire, which destroyed 575 hectares, wiping out 60% of the forest.
A Unified Effort to Restore the Region’s Ecosystem
The Committed to Our Forests (Comprometidos con Nuestros Bosques) project, which was initially launched in 2017 by Carrefour and FSC Spain, is now in its second phase, backed by Mahou San Miguel. This ambitious restoration project not only focuses on the reforestation of the damaged area but also integrates key efforts to prevent future wildfires and promote biodiversity.
Focusing on the regeneration of the land, the restoration covers 25 hectares of land, where 6,500 native trees have already been planted. These trees, including cork and gall oaks, serve to improve biodiversity by providing habitats for over 250 species, such as birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. As the forest recovers, it will also play a crucial role in the fight against climate change, absorbing over 6,000 tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere.
Community Participation in Ecological Restoration
The restoration project is not only about replanting trees; it also invites local communities to actively participate. During the conference, Carrefour Club members and customers assisted in constructing ‘hotels’ for insects. This initiative, along with the rehabilitation of a local water reservoir and the creation of burrows to enhance pastures, directly contributes to the regeneration of the local ecosystem, benefiting both the flora and fauna.
Shared Commitment to Biodiversity and Sustainability
“This initiative is much more than a reforestation project. It is an environmental commitment to our customers and to society, supporting biodiversity by creating resilient ecosystems. Our goal is to promote this environmental mobilization with our suppliers in Spain, together with local authorities and local communities,” said Elodie Perthuisot, Executive Director of Carrefour Spain.
FSC Spain’s Executive Director, Roberto Rubio, echoed this sentiment, saying, “At FSC Spain we firmly believe in the power of cooperation to restore biodiversity and protect our forests. Projects like Committed to Our Forests demonstrate how companies, local authorities, and society can join forces for a common goal. Thanks to Carrefour’s leadership and Mahou San Miguel’s commitment, we are achieving real, concrete, and impactful interventions. These alliances allow us to articulate concrete, visible, and impactful actions that bring life back to degraded spaces. FSC provides the necessary guarantee and rigor so that each step contributes to preserving biodiversity.”
Peio Arbeloa, General Manager of Mahou San Miguel’s Spain Business Unit, expressed pride in the project’s wider impact: “As leaders in the brewing sector, we feel a deep responsibility to promote and develop initiatives like this that generate shared value. This program not only protects natural environments but also leaves a positive footprint in the communities where we are present, generating employment, promoting sustainable tourism, and actively involving the inhabitants of each locality we visit.”
A Flagship Environmental Initiative in Spain
The Committed to Our Forests project has quickly gained recognition as a model for environmental sustainability in Spain. The collaborative efforts of Carrefour, FSC, and Mahou San Miguel have contributed to the regeneration of forests and the protection of endangered species. The project seamlessly combines reforestation with fire prevention, further promoting the idea of sustainable forestry.
FSC, a non-profit organisation known for its rigorous forest certification standards, has supported this initiative by ensuring that all actions align with its environmental, social, and economic objectives. Over 150 million hectares of forest worldwide are already certified by FSC, underscoring the effectiveness of these standards in ensuring sustainable forest management.
A Commitment to a Greener Future
As part of its broader sustainability goals, Carrefour, FSC, and Mahou San Miguel are committed to long-term efforts aimed at maintaining and enhancing forest biodiversity. Their continued collaboration is a powerful example of how businesses, local authorities, and communities can unite to tackle pressing environmental challenges such as deforestation and climate change.
These combined efforts are expected to leave a lasting legacy, not only improving the local ecosystem but also inspiring similar projects across Spain and beyond. By enhancing forest resilience and promoting biodiversity, this initiative is a testament to the power of joint action in preserving our planet’s most vital resources.
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Tags: Carrefour, Forest regeneration, forest restoration Spain, Forestry, FSC, FSC Forest regeneration, FSC forestry, FSC Sustainability, Mahou San Miguel, native trees reforestation, sustainability, sustainable forestry Spain, wood and panel
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