Hyundai and the forests without names

Forests Without Names maps and names underwater sea forests, critical ocean ecosystems have historically been unnamed and excluded from climate policy and conservation.

Created in collaboration with BBDO New York, the initiative is rooted in a simple idea: what isn’t named often goes unprotected. The campaign aims to make these ‘invisible forests’ visible and part of climate action and conservation efforts.

Sea forests are climate-critical. These biodiversity hotspots support hundreds to thousands of species and are thought to sequester nearly 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. Yet many remain fragmented across local data sets and absent from broader environmental systems.

Working with coastal communities and NGO partners, the campaign introduces the first unified global map of sea forests. This creates a shared standard for scientists, conservation groups, and policymakers to monitor these ecosystems worldwide.

The initiative will culminate in the official naming of previously unrecognised sea forests in Korea, Argentina, and Australia. Local communities and NGOs will play a central role in determining the names.

Forests Without Names builds on Hyundai’s broader IONIQ Forest Project, expanding its environmental efforts from land-based reforestation to ocean ecosystems, and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration.