Restore Thai World Heritage Site : Kaeng Krachan National Park
Conservation efforts include planting over 250,000 trees and empowering local communities with the knowledge and resources for long-term sustainable outcomes.
Mastercard, in partnership with Conservation International and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Thailand, will restore 165 hectares of the Kaeng Krachan National Park – a world heritage site located in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces.
Over the next two years, they will plant 275,000 trees as part of the conservation effort.
The three entities will work closely with seven local communities residing within the national park, and work beyond ecological restoration and climate change mitigation, empowering them to transition to sustainable agriculture practices, securing more stable sources of income, and providing communities with the knowledge and resources to ensure long term conservation of the site.
This partnership is part of Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition (PPC), a platform to unite corporate sustainability efforts and engage businesses and consumers to take collective actions to drive positive change for the planet. Launched in 2020, the PPC has over 100 global partners, including sustainably minded merchants, fintech firms and global banks.
The Coalition’s reforestation model extends beyond tree planting, focusing on restoring forests in geographies with the greatest potential for positive climate, community, and biodiversity impact.
“The essence of Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition lies in fostering collaboration among dedicated partners united in their commitment to combatting climate change and enhancing global environmental welfare. As Thailand's largest national park, Kaeng Krachan stands as a pivotal site for restoration efforts, carrying profound environmental implications. Mastercard is delighted to commission this ambitious project that will serve as a symbolic beacon for change in the Asia Pacific region, inspiring many others to join our mission to restore crucial forestland across the globe,” said Safdar Khan, Division President, Southeast Asia, Mastercard.
The PPC’s goal is to plant 100 million trees globally by 2025 and is currently driving contributions to 19 global reforestation projects in collaboration with NGOs, Conservation International and the World Resources Institute. The site in Thailand is the newest location for the PPC and is the coalition’s first project in Asia Pacific in 2023.
The portfolio of the PPC includes diverse geographical representation in the following locations: Asia Pacific (Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Thailand, the Philippines); Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala); Europe (France, Portugal, Spain, Scotland); Middle East & Africa (Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, United Arab Emirates); and North America (Mexico, United States).
Photo by FB Kaeng Krachan National Park
