TheVatican Climate Forest, to be located in theBükk National Park,Hungary, was donated to theVatican City bycarbon offsetting companyPlanktos. The company sized the forest to offset thecarbon emissions generated by the Vatican during 2007, committing to plant over 125,000 trees. No trees have been planted under the project and the carbon offsets have not materialized.
In 2007, theVatican announced plans to become the "firstcarbon neutral sovereign state"[1] with an emphasis onsolar power and the Vatican Climate Forest which wouldoffset the Vatican's carbon emissions.[1] The Vatican announced that the roof of thePaul VI Audience Hall would be covered withphotovoltaic panels in May 2007.[2] The installation was officially placed into service on November 26, 2008.[3]
The Vatican Climate Forest, sized to offset the Vatican's 2007 carbon emissions, was announced in July 2007.[1][4] Hungarian start-upKlimafa, a subsidiary of thecarbon offsetting companyPlanktos, offered to plant trees to restore a forest nearTisza River over 37 acres.[1][5] It promised to plant over 125,000 trees.[6]Dell and European governments also bought Klimafa's carbon offsets.[5] The land has not had trees since theMiddle Ages when it was cleared foragriculture.[5] It now belongs toBükk National Park but, as of 2007, corn continues to be farmed illegally on the land.[5]
The Vatican's acceptance of the offer, at a ceremony on July 5, 2007, was reported as being "purely symbolic",[4] and a way to encourageCatholics to do more to safeguard the planet.[7] An official from the Vatican's Council for Culture stated "one can emit less CO2 by not using heating and not driving a car, or one can do penance by intervening to offset emissions, in this case by planting trees".[5]
In September 2008, Klimafa promised it would plant the trees in December despite its parent company Planktos closing.[6] The company has not planted the trees that would have made up the Vatican Climate Forest.[8] As of 2011, the Vatican is considering legal action against Klimafa.[8] In an interview,Mayor Kiss Lajos ofTiszakeszi stated "we felt honored because the Vatican chose our village"[9] but now "feel sorry".[9]
