A new law in the Philippines has made it compulsory for students, at each stage of the education system, to plant at least 10 trees each before they are eligible to graduate.

The law has drawn upon the Filipino tradition of planting trees as a graduation formality. The law also hopes to encourage students to do their bit in combating global climate change.

Advocates for the new legislation say that as many as 525 billion trees could be planted in a single generation if the initiative is properly adhered to, reports The Independent.

“With over 12 million students graduating from elementary, nearly 5 million graduating from high school and almost 500,000 graduating from college each year, this initiative, if properly implemented, will ensure at least 175 million new trees [are planted] each year,” said Gary Alejano, the Magdalo Party representative and the bill’s primary author.

Alejano also noted that even if only 10 percent of the trees survive, 525 million trees over the span of a generation would still be available for the next era to enjoy.

According to CNN’s Philippines news service, the trees will reportedly be planted amongst forests, mangroves, on some protected land, military ranges, selected urban areas and abandoned mining sites.

The Independent reports that the Filipino government will ensure selected trees are suited to the location and climate, and indigenous saplings will be prioritised.

The government hopes the initiative will inspire future generations to be proactive in regards to the environment and combating deforestation, and hopes the law will encourage more ecological action.