Australian manufacturer and designer of commercial furniture, Zenith, has been a leader in both design and sustainability since its inception. Its commitment to sustainability goes beyond materials and processes to include a partnership with One Tree Planted. 

Having recently reached the remarkable milestone of planting more than 100,000 trees across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Australian Design Review celebrates this achievement by highlighting how the Jac initiative has restored critical ecosystems while empowering local communities. 

As industry leaders, Zenith is often looked to for setting standards. From actively minimising waste and reducing landfill, through to environmental offset initiatives, every facet of their business carefully considers the most responsible pathways to minimising ecological harm.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the Jac initiative in partnership with One Tree Planted. The concept is simple: for every Jac chair purchased, a tree is planted. While this is a simple commitment, the results are profound.  

84,477 native trees planted in Australia and counting

Boorokup
Located along WA’s Gordon River, Boorokup is a 358-hectare property with 250 hectares of cleared land. To date, 92 native species have been planted across 86 hectares, restoring critical ecosystems while empowering Indigenous communities through employment and long-term income opportunities.

Tambellup Noongar Farm
This Aboriginal-owned farm along the Gordon River is being restored in partnership with the Tambellup Noongar community and Binalup Ranger Aboriginal Group. The project aims to rehabilitate 130 hectares of degraded land, combining cultural and ecological restoration while fostering employment, continuous learning, and cultural exploration.

Kardutjaanup
Under the stewardship of the Esperance-Tjaltraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Kardutjaanup is being restored from a degraded former wheat and sheep farm back to native bushland. The local Wudjari community collects and propagates seeds from the area, with capacity-building, skills development and connection to land a focus for its members.

Supporting local iwi initiatives in New Zealand

Waingake Forest
In Aotearoa, the program is restoring native ecosystems through the planting of 14 indigenous tree species, including manuka, kahikatea and totara. These species stabilise erosion-prone soils, improve water quality and enhance biodiversity, supporting 25 native animal species from Spotless Crake to long-tailed bats.

Built in partnership with local iwi, the initiative reflects shared stewardship under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, fostering iwi-based employment, training and capacity building to deliver benefits directly to communities. To date, 10,705 trees have been planted in New Zealand.

Revitalising degraded land in Asia

Sorsogon biodiversity and Watershed restoration
In the Sorsogon Province of southeast Luzon, native trees are revitalising degraded land within Bulusan Volcano Natural Park and Magallanes Juban Forest Watershed Reserve. Once dense with forest, these areas have been threatened by clearing and hunting pressures, endangering species such as the Philippine hawk-eagle and flame-breasted fruit dove.

This project reconnects fragmented forests using Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) across 500 hectares to encourage natural growth. It also supports 3000 farmers and farmworkers, creating livelihoods in wildling gathering, nursery operations and community enterprises. Youth-led planting further fosters stewardship and conservation awareness.

Indigenous reforestation in eagle habitat
In Aurora Province’s Sierra Madre corridor, Indigenous Dumagat and Alta communities are leading reforestation efforts across 400 hectares of ancestral land. Restoration work focuses on critical habitats for endangered wildlife such as the Philippine eagle owl and Golden-crowned flying fox. Women comprise more than half of the planting team, with cultural knowledge guiding species selection.

The project strengthens food security, cultural identity and economic resilience, enabling families to support education and household needs. For the Dumagat and Alta peoples, it is not only reforestation but a restoration of heritage and guardianship.

To date, Zenith has planted 4758 trees in the Philippines.

Success thanks to the design community. 

While the initiative may have been implemented by Zenith, in reality, zero trees would have been planted were it not for the unwavering support of the architecture and design community across each region. Each tree planted is a testament to the industry’s shared commitment to a healthier, more resilient planet. There’s something very special about knowing that in specifying a Jac chair, you’re not only selecting an iconic piece of design by pioneers of sustainable design Schamburg + Alvisse, you’re also making a conscious choice to empower local indigenous communities and nurture this fragile planet of ours.

Find out more about the Jac initiative.