Castorama strengthens its commitment to biodiversity by creating an urban forest

This project, initiated on Wednesday January 18 with a participatory planting and carried out in collaboration with Reforest'Action, aims to strengthen local biodiversity by forming a forest ecosystem. It is part of a more global approach by the brand and the Kingfisher Group, which aims to become “Forest Positive” by 2025 and materializes Castorama's commitment to be the brand of responsible change.

A participatory planting that strengthens local biodiversity

Castorama has chosen to partner with Reforest'Action, a leading player in the restoration of forest ecosystems in France, to create an urban forest at Castorama in Marseille Saint-Loup.

This initiative allows the brand to enhance land adjacent to the store to transform it into urban afforestation. A beneficial initiative for the environment that will ultimately protect the soil from erosion and landslides, but also contribute to the fight against climate change and strengthen the site's biodiversity. A study of the soil and climatic conditions carried out by Reforest'Action made it possible to integrate a mixture of local trees and shrubs in order to form a forest ecosystem favorable to the environment. Eventually, nearly 500 trees could be planted on the site.

On the occasion of a participatory plantation, on January 18, the store's employees welcomed around thirty children from the outdoor center of the Le P'tit Camaïeu Association, aged 6 to 10 years old. The opportunity for a day in contact with nature to raise awareness in a concrete way of forest issues.

“I am very proud that our store is taking part in this initiative, which has a concrete impact on the environment and contributes to Castorama's commitments. Being able to act locally in favor of forests is a real source of satisfaction for our colleagues in store. Colleagues who will also find in this urban forest a space to recharge their batteries near the store”, rejoices Marie-Christine Vergnes, director of the Castorama of Marseille Saint-Loup.

The fight against deforestation at the heart of Castorama's concerns

The creation of this urban forest is a new example of the commitments made by Castorama in terms of forest preservation, a key pillar of its CSR strategy. Castorama's ambition is to be the sign of responsible change both for its customers and for itself.

“The creation of this urban forest is a new illustration of our brand commitments in terms of preserving the environment. For more than 15 years, we have been taking action to fight against deforestation. In this perspective, Castorama is committed to using 100% wood and paper from sustainably managed forests by 2025 – the brand is now at more than 90% – and to contributing to reforestation projects”, says Franck Moreno, brand manager of Castorama in France.

More broadly, this action is consistent with the ambition of the Kingfisher group to become "Forest Positive", which joined the Rainforest Alliance association in 2021 as a founding member of the Forest Allies initiative. This partnership allows the Kingfisher group and its brands to contribute through various actions to the protection, restoration and responsible management of natural forests.