How SAP Links Reforestation to Data Centre Sustainability

SAP is strengthening its climate programme through long term reforestation and carbon removal commitments that sit alongside its operational decarbonisation efforts, including emissions reductions across its global network of offices and data centres. 

The company aims to achieve net zero by 2030 and plans to fund projects that remove more carbon each year than its operations generate.

Matthias Medert, Global Head of Sustainability at SAP, says: “Our reduction efforts have earned SAP's inclusion in the EU Paris-Aligned Benchmarks, giving investors confidence in our approach and demonstrating that rigorous action to tackle global issues strengthens rather than compromises business performance.”

Nature-based solutions tied to digital infrastructure impact

SAP has pursued nature-based solutions for more than a decade, integrating ecosystem restoration into a broader climate strategy that includes modernising systems, improving energy efficiency and lowering the footprint of its data centre estate. 

As its cloud services expand, SAP continues to account for the land and energy intensity of digital infrastructure by investing in natural carbon sinks.

Since 2012, the company has run one of the most extensive corporate reforestation programmes in the technology sector. It has planted 20.51 million trees towards a commitment of 25 million by 2030 and has restored more land than its offices and data centres occupy. These projects form part of SAP’s approach to balancing residual emissions while working to reduce the operational footprint of its facilities.

SAP supports programmes through the Livelihoods Carbon Funds, which deliver 10 to 20 year reforestation, forest protection, improved forest management, rural energy and agroforestry initiatives. 

The projects span more than 25 countries, including Brazil, Madagascar and the Philippines, and involve collaboration with local communities.

Monitoring forest health with SAP’s own tools

In Brazil, SAP works with Fundação Amazônia Sustentável (FAS) to monitor indicators such as deforestation rates and production chain revenue using its Sustainability Control Tower solution. This technology supports transparent reporting on progress and provides a data foundation for evaluating the effectiveness of restoration projects.

The Amazon region contains roughly 390 billion trees and is home to millions of indigenous people. SAP’s involvement includes tracking 15 strategic KPIs in partnership with FAS, using its software to manage environmental and socio-economic data.

The company’s participation in the 1t.org corporate alliance, managed by the World Economic Forum, further supports coordinated global reforestation.

Aligning climate investments with COP30

SAP’s financing model aligns with the Tropical Forest Forever Facility unveiled at COP30 in Belém. The initiative aims to provide stable, multi-year funding for the conservation and expansion of tropical and subtropical forests.

Nearly 100 countries have submitted or announced Nationally Determined Contribution targets that incorporate forest protection, and SAP’s investment approach sits within these broader efforts.

The company’s climate programme combines sustained emissions reductions with verified offsets, ensuring that nature-based solutions do not replace internal decarbonisation work. This is particularly relevant for large technology providers whose data centre operations must balance growing digital demand with environmental commitments.

Carbon removal portfolio incorporating engineered solutions

SAP is targeting a 90% reduction in gross emissions across its value chain on a market-based accounting basis. The remaining emissions, limited to 10% in line with Science Based Targets initiative guidance, will be neutralised through certified carbon removal projects.

Alongside nature-based initiatives, SAP has invested in engineered carbon removal through Climeworks’ direct air capture technology. 

The company also works with ECOSIA, the not-for-profit search engine, with every 50 searches by SAP employees funding tree planting. This collaboration has resulted in more than 760,000 trees being planted.

Matthias notes that long term corporate funding can help fill gaps in regions where restoration projects struggle to access sustained investment, provided such financing complements rather than substitutes core decarbonisation initiatives.