One of the most fundamental components of sustainable development involves ensuring that people of all ages can lead healthy lives.
In recent years, we as a global community have increased life expectancy and reduced child and maternal mortality. We have also made major progress on increasing access to clean water and sanitation. Thanks to vaccines and improved healthcare, instances of malaria, tuberculosis and polio have reduced.
Yet, we need many more efforts to address different persistent and emerging health issues. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide obesity rates have nearly tripled since 1975. Additionally, mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression are serious challenges to our wellbeing. Diseases related to air quality, such as asthma, are still another obstacle we face in a world with pollution and a changing climate.
What is Good Health and Wellbeing (Sustainable Development Goal 3)?
Good Health and Wellbeing is the third of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Its aim is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, from reducing maternal and child mortality to widening universal health coverage and protecting mental health. It treats physical health, mental health, and the health of the environment we live in as one connected picture, which is why access to nature and green space sits inside the conversation about human health.
Trees are a small, practical part of that picture. ForestNation plants verified trees in Tanzania and contributes to verified reforestation and to the families who tend the trees, with field-measured data of roughly 0.025 tonnes of CO2 stored per tree each year (a 30% uncertainty discount already applied). That is a specific contribution, not a claim to cancel out emissions. You can see how the figure is measured on our impact methodology page. If you want to turn caring for people and the planet into a habit you can keep, the Happiness Habit programme builds planting and giving trees into a simple daily practice.
Key Takeaways
- Good Health and Wellbeing is UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages.
- Physical health, mental health, and a healthy environment are connected, so access to nature is part of the goal.
- Trees improve air quality, encourage activity, and support mental wellbeing, with research linking green space to lower depression and obesity.
- ForestNation plants verified trees in Tanzania and contributes to reforestation, roughly 0.025 tonnes of CO2 per tree per year, field-measured (see the method).
- Make caring for people and the planet a habit with the Happiness Habit programme.
How Trees Can Help Good Health and Wellbeing
Trees possess the potential to improve our physical and mental wellbeing in a variety of ways. Firstly, trees absorb odors and pollutant gases. They can reduce asthma rates by improving the air quality. Trees can even help to reduce obesity levels. Planting trees along running paths or other green spaces can help beautify neighborhoods and promote physical activity, such as walking or cycling. Studies show that people who live close to trees and green spaces are less likely to be obese or inactive.
Research suggests that access to nature also reduces depression levels and improves social cohesion. Tree planting initiatives can bring whole communities together, empowering and uniting neighbors for a great cause. Not only do trees help reduce stress and improve our overall mental wellbeing, but they can also play a role in healing. Studies suggest that hospital patients with views of trees heal faster and with less complications than patients without any glimpse of nature. There’s now growing evidence that trees are necessary for good health and wellbeing.
To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals, visit the United Nations website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sustainable Development Goal 3?
Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Wellbeing, is one of the seventeen United Nations goals. It aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, covering maternal and child health, infectious and non-communicable disease, mental health, and universal health coverage. You can read the full goal on the United Nations website.
How do trees support good health and wellbeing?
Trees absorb pollutant gases and improve air quality, encourage walking and cycling, and green space is linked to lower rates of depression and obesity. Time near nature reduces stress, and there is growing evidence that a couple of hours a week in nature supports good health.
Does planting trees help people as well as the planet?
Yes. ForestNation plants verified trees in Tanzania and contributes to verified reforestation and local livelihoods, with field-measured data of roughly 0.025 tonnes of CO2 stored per tree per year. The trees are tended by local families, so each one supports both community wellbeing and the environment. It is framed as a contribution, not an offset; you can read the method on the impact methodology page.
How can I make wellbeing a regular habit?
Choose one small, repeatable action: a daily walk in green space, time away from screens, or planting a tree to mark a moment. The Happiness Habit programme turns planting and giving trees into a simple practice you can keep.
