The Billion Tree Campaign aimed to have pledges to plant one billion trees by the end of 2007, but with Senegal pledging to plant 20 million it has reached this goal nearly seven months ahead of schedule.
This has led UNEP to state that addressing climate change is “the most popular movement of our time”.
“Countries and communities as well as corporations and individual citizens across the developed and developing world have responded to the challenge with grassroots enthusiasm and commitment,” said UNEP executive director Achim Steiner.
“It should empower governments everywhere with the sure and certain knowledge that addressing climate change is not a political risk but perhaps the most popular movement of our time.”
Mr Steiner added that the campaign, as well as tackling climate change, would help enhance biodiversity around the world.
