until 2018 tree planting activities were certified by the Comisión Nacional Forestal (CONAFOR), the sub-authority of the Mexican Ministry of Environment. Due to Conafor-budget cuts regular visits by the authorities were stopped which was criticized by the authors of the Zeit. Yet, the foundation states that visits by authorities, experts and journalists are possible at any time. The accusation is also made that the organizational structure of the Mexican subsidiary association, to which the donations from Germany are transferred, is "not compatible with German laws". The association consisted only of the two founders, father and son Finkbeiner and a Mexican entrepreneur. The foundation has announced that they have convened an independent group of reforestation experts to review and monitor the work in the planting site and that auditors from PKF would examine the financial records. Some partners decided to temporarily pause the cooperation until the test certificates and expert opinions are available. In August 2021, auditing firm PKF issued a statement that read "The results of the audit did not give rise to any objections, and on July 30, 2021, an unconditional audit opinion was issued on the annual reports of Plant For The Planet, A.C. for the 2015 to 2020 reports." Another auditing firm HSL also provided with unconditional audit opinions on the financial statements of Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation in Germany. International Law firms, White & Case and Gibson Dunn also presented their statements that read Plant-for-the-Planet's statues and structure are in compliance with both the Mexican and German laws respectively. See also Billion Tree Campaign Global Marshall Plan 350.org Climate Reality Project Climate justice Climate crisis References External links official website Nature conservation organisations based in Europe Agriculture and the environment Environmental organisations based in Germany Non-profit organisations based in Bavaria Youth organisations based in Germany 2007 establishments in Germany