In the ongoing efforts to preserve our planet's forests, sobering statistics shed light on the magnitude of this challenge.

"There are more than 5 billion trees that are cut down every single year to make innocuous things like paper, t-shirts and pizza boxes," says Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy. “These rising figures are a stark reminder of the environmental toll modern consumption habits have on our forest ecosystems.”

However, amidst this alarming reality, there are beacons of hope. Canopy, in collaboration with the Cisco Foundation and supported by their 10-year climate commitment, exemplifies the power of partnership in driving meaningful change. Through this commitment, the Cisco Foundation funds nonprofit grants and impact investments in climate solutions. Canopy’s mission to protect forests and curb deforestation reflects Cisco Foundations’ goals to support high-impact programs that regenerate our natural world.

There are more than 5 billion trees that are cut down every single year to make innocuous things like paper, t-shirts and pizza boxes.
Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director, Canopy

"Canopy’s partnership with the Cisco Foundation is built on a shared belief that supporting innovation at scale to address significant social problems has the potential to achieve a global impact," explains Rycroft. 

Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, Canopy is championing responsible practices and advocating for the preservation of our planet's invaluable ecosystems. "We currently work with hundreds of large corporate customers of paper, packaging, and wood-based textiles like rayon and viscose," shares Rycroft. "We work to scale the use of discarded textiles, agricultural residues, lower carbon, more circular feedstocks and industry food waste that lower impact overall to make next season's clothing and packaging," she adds, underscoring Canopy's commitment to do-good practices throughout their supply chain.

Their mission is clear: “To ensure that the world's Ancient and Endangered Forests aren't being mowed down.”

Canopy's objective is to protect the world’s forests, species, and climate, and to help advance Indigenous communities' rights. With the help of supporters and conservation allies, Canopy has played pivotal roles in securing large-scale conservation gains in 39 million acres of Ancient and Endangered Forests in Indonesia, Canada’s Boreal Forest, and North America’s coastal temperate rainforests.

At the heart of their purpose-driven work lies a simple yet profound belief: “Being stylish doesn't have to cost us the Earth.” This mantra encapsulates the ethos of their work, emphasizing the importance of responsible consumption and environmental stewardship.

To mobilize their vision and ensure they are closer to their goal of eliminating the use of  Ancient and Endangered Forests in the supply chain mix by 2033, Canopy has garnered more than 20 Next Generation Innovator Partners and has supported three new Next Generation pulp mills, including the fruition of the world’s first commercial scale textile-to-textile pulp mill in Sweden, and agricultural residue pulp mills for paper packaging in China and North America. And with ever-growing consumer demands, this is no small feat.  

As we navigate the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss globally, initiatives like Canopy and Cisco Foundation's partnership shine brightly as examples of proactive and effective action. By embracing sustainability and corporate responsibility, they inspire others to join the fight for a more sustainable and resilient future. The pursuit? Together, we can all protect forests, safeguard our planet, and ensure a long-lasting legacy for generations to come.