The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Jan. 13, edition that Manulife Financial has launched a reforestation program using Vancouver-based Veritree's technology to monitor tree growth and biodiversity in real-time. The Globe's Jeffrey Jones writes that under a licencing agreement, Manulife has deployed Veritree Technology's platform at treeplanting sites in Canada, the United States, Japan and the Philippines. Veritree is a private company that utilizes satellite imagery, drones, ground data and bioacoustic monitoring to map planting sites, select tree species for reforestation, and track metrics. Veritree aims to expand its global projects, according to co-founder and chief executive officer Derrick Emsley. Partnering with Manulife, it seeks to present actionable data that justifies ongoing investment beyond the multi-million dollar contract. The initiative offers significant business benefits for Manulife, enhancing climate and biodiversity in forest rejuvenation areas, according to Ariel Kangasniemi, the company's global chief sustainability officer. The agreement with Manulife represents the first major licencing deal for veritree, a business that grew out of tentree, an ecoapparel company.