The Alternative Investment Forum

Event

How investing in biodiverse forestry is the solution for corporations to meet their sustainability goals, and provide the ultimate guide to on-the-ground forest investment.

Held virtually on 13 October, the Alternative Investment Forum looked to discuss investment opportunities in timber and agriculture in order to diversify portfolios and achieve healthy returns.

Our CEO Ben Gunneberg took part in a panel discussion, alongside representatives from Botanic Gardens Conservation International and Shell, talking about how investing in biodiverse forestry is the solution for corporations to meet their sustainability goals. Later the same day, Ben presented the ultimate guide to on-the-ground forest investment, followed by a Q&A.

Forest certification and finance

When financing, insuring or investing in projects or companies involved in forest operations or related production and trade, financial institutions need to ensure that private sector activities have minimal negative impact on forests. Moreover, responsible investors should look for ways to facilitate net positive impact.

The assurance that forest certification offers about a business and its impact on nature is well advanced. PEFC forest management or chain of custody certified companies implement the highest standards in forest certification.

By providing transparent information on traceability and management practices, forest certification helps prevent environmental damage, ensuring operators’ compliance with environmental and social policies, and supporting sustainable development.

Benefits to financial institutions

PEFC certification offers financial institutions the reassurance that they are respecting environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals in a market where these principles matter more each day. 

Certification enhances brand value and sends a positive, clear and transparent message to the market, ensuring that financial institutions stand out as business leaders, strengthening their competitiveness over time.