The reduction of the VAT in Germany in the second half of 2020 was intended to support the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic. But it also made possible a sustainability project by the Schöffel Foundation, which was established in 2011 to promote and initiate social and ecological projects. Together with the customers of the Schöffel webshop, the foundation supported the planting of almost 30,000 trees for forest conversion projects of the Bavarian State Forests in Southern Germany. From July 1 to Dec. 31, customers of the Schöffel online store could donate the 3 percent of VAT saved on the purchase price to the good cause. The Schöffel Foundation then doubled the amount. A total of around €96,000 was raised that way, which was used to finance the planting of a “climate forest of tomorrow”. Since each tree can bind around 10 kilograms of CO2 per year, this means that the trees planted as part of the campaign alone will absorb around 300 tons of CO2 each year.
