Amazon is helping fund a massive project in South Africa to plant 180 million spekboom shrubs, a native plant that absorbs carbon dioxide, as part of its Climate Pledge to reach net-zero carbon by 2040. The initiative is one of the world's largest nature-based carbon removal projects.
Project Scale and Location
The shrubs will be planted across approximately 200 square miles of degraded land in the Eastern Cape, an area roughly twice the size of Birmingham. The land has been severely damaged by historical overuse, leaving it dry, eroded, and challenging for local communities to sustain livelihoods.
Why Spekboom?
Spekboom, also known as elephant bush, was selected for its resilience in arid conditions. It helps restore moisture, improve soil health, and revive wildlife. By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in leaves and roots, it acts as a natural carbon sink, reducing greenhouse gases and combating climate change. As it grows, it creates favorable conditions for other native plants to return, rebuilding the entire ecosystem.
Implementation and Partnerships
Amazon is collaborating with the World Bank and other financial organizations. The planting is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028. Kara Hurst, Amazon’s chief sustainability officer, stated: “This is a story about nature, community, ingenuity, and scale. Spekboom is a natural wonder, but it can’t heal the land without help from the people who call the Eastern Cape home.” She added: “This project will restore the ecosystem and create jobs - a model for how nature-based solutions can enable both climate action and economic development.”
Community and Economic Impact
The project aims to support local communities by creating approximately 11,000 jobs by 2030 and training local businesses in restoration work. This investment represents a long-term purchase agreement for carbon credits, supporting emerging carbon removal solutions, and is one of the largest private-sector commitments to nature-based restoration in South Africa's history.
