The Federal Government has thrown its support behind a nationwide tree-planting initiative, pledging $300,000 to help plant 100,000 trees.

The One Tree Per Child program will involve local councils helping school children plant trees on government land.

The move comes a day after a scathing attack by former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan who accused Australia of not doing enough to tackle climate change.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt was at the launch of the tree program at Sydney's Bondi Beach and said it enlisted a "green army of young people".

"The One Tree Per Child program is the pinnacle of what we want to do because it's about engaging every child in Australia in planting a tree in their community in their time at school," he said.

"And if each child can do that, that will make a difference but more importantly it makes a difference to the way they think."

One Tree Per Child co-founder Olivia Newton-John said educating children about the environment would have long-lasting effects.

"I think it's a wonderful thing for kids to get involved," she said.

"It gives them an opportunity to get involved with their local community and volunteering and help with the environment and provide habitat and shade and help with erosion and help with oxygen, the most important thing.

"I think every country can do more for the environment, not just Australia."

Newtown-John has planted 10,000 trees on her own Byron Bay property and said the program aimed to plant two million trees by 2020.

"It's wonderful to see the progression of trees and see them every year and see how tall they have grown," she said.

Mr Hunt said the program should see trees planted from "Bourke to Bondi ... from Coogee to Cottesloe, right across the country, to have all communities engaged and involved".