Background A variety of interconnected issues relate to climate change impacts. These include increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, traffic related emissions, soil degradation and subsequent loss of agricultural capacity and landscape, as well as loss of bio-diversity and eco-systems. One of the most devastating consequences of climate change is the desertification of areas that have previously provided important functions in terms of carbon sequestration, food production and landscape conservation. Tree planting can help overcome these problems and innovative planting techniques are required to properly regenerate some degraded areas. Objectives The project’s main objective is to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of new tree planting techniques in desertified, poor and/or rocky areas. Innovative ‘waterbox’ technology (Twinboxx) will be applied to restore the sponge function of degraded soils and reinforce soils’ existing capacities for supporting plant life. Waterboxes will be tested to assess their suitability as a means of capturing rain and condensation for use in cultivating Hedera (ivy) plants along roadsides, where the plants are intended to absorb traffic-related air particulates and CO2. The project intends to demonstrate the waterbox technology’s capacity to: improve soils by stimulating the natural capacities of plants; increase success rates of planting in eroded and desert areas to above 95%; reconstruct forests; absorb large amounts of CO2 emissions; restore eco-systems facilitating the planting of indigenous and endangered species in desertified or otherwise damaged territories; reduce water and energy use, as the technology does not require any type of irrigation; restore desertified agricultural land to economic profitability, thus increasing economic opportunities in rural areas and combating their abandonment; and possibly facilitate all-year planting, offering long-term employment and larger time spans for cultivation and reforestation. Expected results Results are expected to include: 90 % success rate of the species planted in April surviving and growing well after 3-4 years; Confirmation of the financial feasibility of Twinboxx technology compared with commercial alternatives; 80 % survival rate of species planted in July using the Twinboxx technology; Confirmation that the new technology does not have a negative impact on existing water resources.