The Forest of Embryos. We plant a tree for every birth

For many years now, Institut Marquès has been engaged in the environmental cause. This is why we have been conducting many studies since 2002 regarding pollution and the impact it has on the sperm quality and fertility. Therefore, we are the only ones who have conducted a comparative study of sperm in Spain. According to our research, the toxic substances (endocrine disruptors) and the environmental pollution are directly connected to the increase of infertility in the most industrialised areas.

After having demonstrated the impact of pollution on health and infertility, Institut Marquès has decided to make its contribution by fighting pollution in its very own way. For this reason, in 2018 we presented “The Embryo Forest”, a Corporate Social Responsibility project that consists of planting a tree for each child born thanks to our Assisted Reproduction treatments. Since then, we have been offering all our patients, as a gift when their child is born, the possibility of planting a tree in their name.

From Tarragona to the world

The initiative was launched by the environmental organisation L’Escurçó, from Tarragona, with whom we collaborate in the reforestation of the Mare de Déu de la Roca mountain in Mont-roig del Camp. Due to the great response to this initiative, we have decided to internationalise our Embryo Forest by partnering with Treedom, the first platform in the world that allows any user to plant a tree and follow online the history of the project they are part of. With this agreement, Institut Marquès’ Embryo Forest is already growing in Africa thanks to local farmers. In this way, in addition to the environmental impact, it also contributes to producing social and economic benefits in different communities.

Commitment to the environment

The Forest of Embryos was selected by the Comunidad #PorElClima project as one of the 101 business examples that are recognised for their commitment and work on climate emergency action. These 101 initiatives are part of a report that was presented at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2019 in Madrid.

This is just one example of Institut Marquès’ commitment to the preservation of the environment. Back in 2010, the clinic sponsored Lluís Pallarès’ participation at the North Pole Marathon, known as the “garbage bin of the planet”. In this competition, Pallarès was wearing a spermatozoid costume, in order to raise awareness regarding the negative impact of chemical pollution on the male fertility.

In addition, Institut Marquès supports the manifesto and actions of Citizens for Science in Pesticide Regulation, a citizens’ coalition made up of civil society, institutions, scientists and legal experts calling for reform of the use of pesticides in the European Union.