
Tree’s 2040 Vision: A Sustainable Future for Generations to Come
Our Purpose: Why We Exist
At Tree, our mission is unequivocal: we exist to combat climate change through groundbreaking technologies that significantly reduce and capture carbon emissions at a global scale. Driven by the ethical imperative of safeguarding life on Earth for future generations, we strive every day to deliver practical, impactful solutions that ensure a sustainable future for all.
Tree was born from the belief that technology can be a powerful force in reversing climate change. What started as a simple yet ambitious experiment in a Norfolk workshop evolved into a mission to develop scalable, impactful solutions for carbon capture, energy storage, and more. From that first breakthrough—unlocking the potential of a two-phase expansion turbine—our purpose became clear: to harness innovation for the health of our planet and future generations.
Our Story: From Norfolk Shed to Global Impact
What Drives Us
Our core values are not just aspirational—they shape every interaction, partnership, and decision we make.
1.
Intergenerational Responsibility
“We act on behalf of future generations, refusing to push the climate crisis onto those who come after us.”
We act with urgency, committed to not passing the burden of the climate crisis onto our children and grandchildren.
2.
Accountability to the Planet
"We take responsibility for the damage humanity has caused - and use technology to help make it right."
We own our environmental responsibilities, striving to ensure that our operations and solutions lead to genuine reductions in global carbon emissions.
3.
"We believe in our collective ability to find solutions to the biggest climate challenges - and we refuse to give up."
Faced with the immense challenge of climate change, we pursue ambitious innovation, rigorously testing and refining solutions rather than settling for temporary fixes.
Relentless Problem-Solving
4.
"We solve climate change together - across disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds - because climate change affects us all. We value every voice that brings passion, expertise, humility, kindness, and empathy to the mission."
Climate change knows no boundaries, and neither does our approach. We build bridges across sectors, cultures, and disciplines, valuing every voice committed to the common cause.
Collaboration & Shared Humanity:
5.
"We let the data speak for itself - measuring and sharing tangible carbon capture and mitigation results, building trust through honesty."
We believe trust is built through transparency. We openly share our progress, challenges, and results, allowing data to speak clearly for our achievements and areas for improvement.
Transparency & Measurable Impact:
Our Goal: 1 Gigaton by 2040
“By 2040, Tree's technology will capture or avoid at least 1 gigaton (1GT) of CO₂-equivalent emissions per year through our technology, partnerships, and global deployments.”
Why?
Inspirational
This clear and powerful goal mobilises our team, investors, partners, and policymakers towards collective action.
Ambitious
With rigorous innovation and strategic partnerships, we believe 1GT per year is an appropriate benchmark.
Global Significance:
Achieving this would mean neutralising emissions comparable to entire nations, highlighting the scale of our ambition and the global relevance of our solutions.
Our Path to 2040
Achieving our 1GT goal requires a staged approach, balancing innovation with rapid deployment. Over the next few years, we will refine and commercialise our breakthrough carbon capture and energy storage technologies, working closely with key industries to prove their effectiveness in real-world conditions. By the early 2030s, we aim to scale these solutions across high-impact sectors, capturing millions of tons of CO₂ annually. As we approach 2040, our focus will be on global adoption—deploying our technology at an unprecedented scale across power generation, manufacturing, and transport, ensuring we reach our ambitious target. This journey is not just about technological success, but about transforming industries and reshaping how we think about emissions reduction on a planetary scale.
Meet the Team
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Johan Neethling
CEO
A seasoned entrepreneur; Johan brings over two decades of experience in clean technology and engineering. His visionary leadership has shaped our strategic direction, driving growth. Johan leads Tree with financial prowess and a deep commitment to clean technology.
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Bernard Killingbeck
Founder & CTO
Bernard, the mastermind behind our cutting-edge technology, has cultivated it from concept to revolutionary solution. His passion for reducing carbon footprint propels our technological strides. Bernard brings over 40 years of R&D expertise to tackle clean technology challenges.
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Tim Hayward
Co-Founder
Tim leverages his vast operational and managerial skills spearheading seamless operations and propelling continuous improvement. Tim is committed to maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence and supporting our partners’ success.
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Max Leveridge
Marketing Director
Max joins with expertise in AI, sports, and commercial promotions. Proven track record in driving brand growth, creating impactful campaigns, and leveraging innovative strategies to deliver exceptional results and foster engagement across diverse industries.
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Edie
Chief Moral Officer
Edie joins the team with experience in happiness, fuss and snacks. With 4 years of experience, she brings more to the table than anyone else in the team. Her constant attention to everyone’s mood is a game changer for productivity in the office.
Measuring Our Progress
We commit to transparency and rigorous measurement through regular reporting. Our progress will be shared openly—celebrating milestones, addressing challenges, and continuously refining our approach to ensure maximum impact.
Our Promise
By embracing our bold vision and unwavering values, we at Tree commit ourselves to meaningful climate action, innovative technological advancements, and responsible stewardship of our shared home. Together, we are building a brighter, sustainable future—one gigaton at a time.