Landmark Anniversary Marks 1 Million Trees Planted
The Hyundai IONIQ Forest 2025 initiative has reached a major milestone. Marking 10 years of global reforestation efforts, Hyundai Motor Company announced that over 1 million trees have been planted across 13 countries. The initiative also introduced an innovative AI-powered “Tree Correspondents” campaign and continued agroforestry projects in India.(Hyundai Motor Group, 2025)
About IONIQ Forest: A Decade of Ecological Commitment
Launched in 2016 to mark the debut of the Hyundai IONIQ Electric model, IONIQ Forest began as a tree-planting initiative. The project expanded globally from 2021, coinciding with the launch of the IONIQ 5 electric car. Today, it spans 13 countries including India, Korea, Brazil, Germany and the U.S. Hyundai Motor Group
Key facts:
- Launch year: 2016
- Global expansion began: 2021
- Countries involved: 13
- Total trees planted: 1,000,000 (as of July 2025) (India Today, Hyundai Motor Group)
The campaign reinforces Hyundai’s brand vision “Progress for Humanity”, integrating sustainability with innovation. Sungwon Jee, Hyundai Global CMO, said the campaign reflects the company’s decade-long CSR commitment. (Hyundai Motor Group)
“Tree Correspondents” Campaign: Tech Meets Nature
AI-Powered Narratives
The latest campaign, Tree Correspondents, uses a bespoke Large Language Model (LLM) to translate ecological data into first-person narratives from trees’ perspectives. These stories focus on climate impacts, deforestation, and ecosystem degradation. (Hyundai Motor Group, drivespark.com)
Recognition and Awards
Launched on International Day of Forests (March 21, 2025), the campaign won accolades at the 2025 Cannes Lions Awards, earning two Gold and one Silver Lions in the Digital Craft category. (Hyundai Motor Group)
Impact in India: Community and Sustainability
Locale-Specific Engagement
In India, the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) scaled IONIQ Forest through agroforestry initiatives in Andhra Pradesh. The CSR program empowered 115 Chenchu tribal families in Nandyal district. (indiaeducationdiary.in)
Model of Integration
Phase 1 involved converting 250 acres into sustainable agroforestry land. Infrastructure support included borewells and drip irrigation. Practices such as intercropping boosted yields and income, generating ₹ 24.56 lakh across four villages. (indiaeducationdiary.in)
The initiative improved water efficiency, soil fertility, and reduced reliance on forest resources—promoting long-term ecological stewardship. (indiaeducationdiary.in)
Global Reach: A Snapshot Table
| Region | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 13 Countries | Reforestation across continents |
| 1 Million Trees | Planted since project inception |
| AI Storytelling | Data narrated by trees through AI-generated content |
| Cannes Lions Awards | Two Gold and one Silver, Digital Craft category |
| Tribal Empowerment (India) | Agroforestry benefiting Chenchu communities |
Hyundai’s Vision: Blending Sustainability and Technology
The Hyundai IONIQ Forest 2025 initiative exemplifies how corporate environmental responsibility can be creatively paired with cutting-edge technology. Central to this vision is the innovative AI-powered “Tree Correspondents” campaign, which transforms complex ecological data into engaging stories told from the perspective of trees themselves. This unique approach not only informs but also emotionally connects global audiences to the urgent need for forest conservation.
Using a bespoke Large Language Model (LLM), the campaign interprets data on climate change, deforestation, and ecosystem health, making these critical issues more accessible and relatable. By humanizing the environmental narrative, Hyundai hopes to inspire greater public participation in sustainability efforts worldwide.
Beyond technology, Hyundai’s commitment extends deeply into community empowerment, particularly in regions like India, where agroforestry projects create sustainable livelihoods for indigenous groups such as the Chenchu tribal families. These projects demonstrate how environmental and economic goals can be achieved simultaneously—providing food security, improving soil health, and fostering long-term stewardship of natural resources.
Sungwon Jee, Hyundai Global Chief Marketing Officer, emphasized, “Our goal is to push the boundaries of innovation beyond automobiles and into how we care for our planet. The Hyundai IONIQ Forest 2025 project is a testament to this, blending technology with community engagement to create a sustainable future.”
The company plans to further integrate AI-driven storytelling with on-ground ecological actions, ensuring transparency and fostering continuous dialogue between ecosystems and communities. Hyundai also aims to expand the Hyundai IONIQ Forest 2025 project’s footprint, targeting new geographies and involving more stakeholders as part of its ongoing sustainability roadmap.
Why It Matters: Environmental and Community Benefits
- The initiative aligns with climate action goals, promoting biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
- AI-driven narratives make ecological data accessible and emotionally resonant.
- Community-led agroforestry combines livelihood support with sustainable resource management.
A Message from Hyundai Leadership
“Hyundai’s pursuit of innovation goes beyond mobility into how we connect with the world around us,” said Sungwon Jee, Senior Vice President and Global CMO. “With Tree Correspondents, we aimed to highlight our decade-long CSR commitment by integrating technology with storytelling, creating deeper audience engagement.” (Hyundai Motor Group)
Continued Growth and Engagement
The IONIQ Forest initiative has reached its first major milestone. Moving forward, Hyundai aims to expand its tree-planting footprint, deepen community collaboration, and further blend ecological data with AI storytelling.
As the project continues, the blend of sustainability, community development, and technology positions IONIQ Forest as a forward-looking model for corporate environmental responsibility.
Hyundai’s IONIQ Forest project has now achieved a decade-long legacy, planting one million trees across 13 countries and empowering communities through sustainable agroforestry. With its creative blend of AI storytelling and environmental action, the project moves ahead as a benchmark for corporate ecological initiatives worldwide.
