One square metre of rainforest per order: where it is and how it's protected

With every order from Good-Natured, we protect one square metre of rainforest in south-eastern Peru, in the Madre de Dios region. Our partner is the conservation organisation Wilderness International: it buys rainforest land with an entry in the land register and transfers it to a foundation, so that it stays protected for the long term. According to the organisation, one euro protects one square metre there.

But a number is only worth something if you can check it. That's why this article doesn't just say that we protect forest – it says where it is, who protects it, how that works legally, and gives the coordinates of our most recent donation.

“Better one square metre that really exists than a promise that only sounds good.”

Where is the forest?

In south-eastern Peru, in the Madre de Dios region. There, Wilderness International protects land in the so-called Secret Forest, which the organisation describes as one of the most biodiverse places on earth; its research station lies on the banks of the Tambopata river.

The area from our most recent donation lies at 12° 53′ 7.844″ S, 69° 31′ 42.96″ W. You can see it on the map – deep in the Amazon lowlands, more than 10,000 kilometres from Dresden.

How is the forest protected?

Not through carbon certificates or declarations of intent, but through ownership. Wilderness International only buys land with a land-register entry. The forest then remains owned by the foundation and is not sold on – the organisation calls the foundation the longest-lasting organisational structure currently known.

According to Wilderness International, each euro donated is split as follows: 38 cents for land purchase and the buying process, 19 cents for preparation, 20 cents for education and communication, 18 cents for long-term protection and research, and 5 cents for administration.

Does this make Good-Natured climate neutral?

No – and we don't claim that anywhere. “Climate neutral” usually means emissions have been offset on paper. Since 27 September 2026, such a claim is not allowed in Germany if it rests solely on offsetting; more in How to spot greenwashing.

So we don't set the square metre of forest against our orders. We'd rather name what actually happens: a specific area, a named partner, an entry in the land register. Anyone can check that.

Why protect rather than plant?

Planting trees sounds good, but only has an effect after years: a seedling takes a long time to store meaningful amounts of carbon, and whether it survives the first years depends heavily on the project and location.

Existing rainforest is already there – with everything that lives in it. It just needs to keep standing. Protecting an area therefore works from day one. That's why we chose protection.

What else is part of our responsibility?

Forest protection is one building block. The larger part of our impact lies in production: what things are made from, under which conditions, and how long a piece lasts. At Good-Natured we place great value on producing in Europe, a large part of our clothing is made in Portugal, and all our suppliers are members of the Fair Wear Foundation. A shirt worn for years doesn't need replacing.

On top of that, we give 10% of our profit to aid projects. Who receives it and why is explained in 10% of our profit: who Good-Natured donates to. You'll find everything together on our sustainability page.

Conclusion

One square metre of rainforest per order is a small contribution. But it comes with coordinates, a named partner and a land-register entry. Every order from Good-Natured – whether a pair of socks or a hoodie – keeps a piece of forest standing in Peru.