Creating new forests plays a vital role in the global transition to a greener economy

Timberland as an asset class provides a rare opportunity to generate risk-adjusted market rate of returns and address some of the major challenges of our time. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report from October 2018 emphasizes the urgent need for change to keep global warming below 1.5°C.

Creating new forests is an effective way to both sequester CO₂ already emitted to the atmosphere (negative emissions), as well as reduce emissions going forward, by providing green and renewable alternatives to existing high emission materials and fuels. Unlike most other material, wood is not at risk of becoming depleted. Like generations before us, we can continue utilizing wood from responsibly managed sources without compromising opportunities for future generations.

By investing into sustainably managed forests, we have the potential to maintain or restore the productive and protective capacity of landscapes. It often causes a chain reaction of other positive impacts on biodiversity, water protection, job creation, rural development and poverty reduction – all in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our Planet, a collaboration between WWF, Netflix, and Silverback Films, has made a short video documentary called “How to Restore Our Forests”, which IWC found interesting and worth sharing. Hope you enjoy it too!