Climate & Circular Resources

Project Crimson

Since 2020, we’ve partnered with environmental charity Project Crimson to support two large-scale tree planting initiatives in Taranaki and Wairarapa on New Zealand’s North Island. This initiative brings together farmers, iwi (indigenous tribes), Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Trust, the Department of Conservation (DoC), Ngāti Tawhirikura, the Greater Wellington Regional Council, and various community groups.  

Our partnership with Project Crimson has so far supported two key projects:

• The first focuses on revitalizing natural habitats for taonga species (native plants and animals that hold cultural, spiritual, and historical significance for the Māori people) along the Waiwhakaiho River catchment. Mana Whenua (local Māori people with ancestral ties to the land) will work with key stakeholders to plant and restore native vegetation at traditional food-gathering locations stretching from the river mouth at Rewarewa up to Maunga Taranaki, where 64,685 trees have been planted across 22 hectares.  
  

Romania Plants for Tomorrow

Since 2008, OMV Petrom has been one of the largest private companies involved in volunteer reforestation efforts in Romania. To date, the company has planted over 700,000 trees across 140 hectares.

In 2019, we launched “Romania Plants for Tomorrow” – our largest tree planting campaign to date, which spans seven counties. This campaign is conducted in partnership with six environmental NGOs: Act for Tomorrow, MaiMultVerde, Pădurea Copiilor, Plantăm fapte bune în România, Viitor Plus, and Parcul Natural Văcărești. Approximately 24,800 volunteers, including 1,400 OMV Petrom employees, planted 3 million trees over 605 hectares. This initiative contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).  

Climate Research Forest

We supported the Austrian Research Center for Forests (BFW) to establish a climate research forest in the Lower Austrian district of Matzen-Raggendorf. This research project, which is set to run until 2030, focuses on the cultivation, management, and study of the forest. Since 2019, 23 different tree species have been planted across approximately five hectares.  

Open to the public since 2021, the forest features recreational areas and a nature trail that invites visitors to explore the role of woodlands and connect with nature. It also serves as a research site where climate-relevant data is collected to assess functions such as carbon storage and biodiversity support. 

Paper Recycling in Local Schools

We partner with the Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust in New Zealand to fund Paper4Trees, a program which encourages waste reduction in schools and preschools in the Taranaki region of North Island. As a reward for their recycling efforts, participating institutions receive native trees and plants for their grounds. The initiative helps raise awareness among children about recycling and the role of native trees. 

Moawhitu Wetland Rehabilitation Project on D’Urville Island

We are supporting a project to rehabilitate the Moawhitu wetland on D’Urville Island, located on the northern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. This project aims to restore the lake and wetlands by improving water quality and habitats, with the aim of supporting wildlife populations.   

Moawhitu is a site of national ecological importance and part of a long-term ecological restoration project that we have supported for many years. Historically, the land was covered in native lowland forest giants such as rimu, matai, kahikatea, and totara. It also holds cultural significance as a former mahinga kai (traditional food harvesting) site, once renowned for its large population of tuna.  

Romania Eficienta

We support România Eficientă, a private initiative promoting energy efficiency in Romania. The project aims to contribute to Romania’s 2030 goals for reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency using two key approaches: 

• Carrying out major renovations to meet Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) standards in public schools: One of România Eficientă's key achievements is the renovation of Liliești High School. This project was a significant private investment in energy renovation for a school in Romania, costing EUR 1.6 million. Completed in March 2023, the refurbishment uses photovoltaic panels and a heat pump system and is expected to reduce energy consumption for heating by 60%. 

Tiny Forest

Tiny forests can provide ecological and social functions. They can create habitats for plant and animal species, contribute to biodiversity and nature conservation, bind carbon dioxide, improve air quality, and help regulate the urban microclimate. Urban residents can also benefit from the creation of green areas. These ecosystem services are being researched as part of the ‘tiny forest’ project of the Federal Research Centre for Forests (BFW), which OMV supports as part of its social responsibility activities. The project includes monitoring of the tiny forest at the CAPE10 house in Vienna to develop a basis for further projects. It also aims to raise awareness among the local population and neighbours. The mini forest was planted in November 2022 and will be left to natural vegetation.