Sustainable investments in forests for people, profit and nature

Nature-based solutions have the potential to catalyze low-carbon economic growth, generate green jobs, deliver healthy investment returns and support ecosystem restoration. The call for such solutions and ‘new green deals’ that deliver beneficial economic, social and environmental outcomes has grown since COVID-19 caused health and economic challenges across the globe.

Recognition of the capacity of trees and forests to deliver a wide range of benefits or “nature-based solutions” is not new. Managed sustainably, forests can deliver positive economic, social and environmental outcomes at the local, regional and international levels. Governments and small and large scale investors are increasingly realising this.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Global Environment Facility (GEF), UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD), New Generation Plantations (WWF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), UN Environment Program (UNEP), Forest Action Facility (KfW), World Bank (WB) and International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) are co-organizing a full-day Investment Forum at the World Forestry Congress.

Investment in forest-based projects and programmes can help achieve international ambitions including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To do so, it is essential that we understand and support the wide range of reasons to invest in forests at a range of scales: for sustainable consumption and production of forest products, to mitigate and adapt to climate change, to safeguard nature and biodiversity, restore ecosystems, to provide sustainable livelihoods and much more.  

This Investment Forum will bring together investors, existing and potential forest project proponents, policymakers and other stakeholders to identify practical approaches and investment options to increase the size and benefits that expanded global forest cover will deliver. It will highlight the transformative thinking that is required to ensure the viability of an increasing range of forest investment projects and programmes across the globe. Each session of the Forum will focus on specific and practical requirements that are essential to consider when developing forest investment proposals. This will include a wide range of considerations including but not limited to partnerships and innovative finance solutions. The Forum will also provide a unique opportunity for potential project proponents, including smallholders, to have an informative and pragmatic exchange with a range of investors, private sector entities and policymakers. 

David Ganz, Executive Director at RECOFTC, will join session one at this Investment Forum.

Investment in forests: An opportunity for transformation

Moderator

• Nathalia Granato, Sustainability and Forest Affairs Manager at Indústria Brasileira de Árvores (iba) 

Panel

• David Brand, CEO of New Forests
• Lee White, Minister of Water, Forests, the Sea, and Environment in Gabon 
• David Ganz, Executive Director at RECOFTC 
• Kavita Sinha, Director, Private Sector Facility at Green Climate Fund