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The ForestLink newsletter sign-up ForestryBrief Today, I'm joined by Peter Hasulyó, Founder and Editor of the ForestryBrief, a curated B2B newsletter following the European forest industry. In this conversation, Peter explains why Europe currently has two wood markets moving in opposite directions: prices are recovering in Central Europe as the bark beetle wave fades, while storm-felled wood floods Scandinavian markets. We discuss one study's projected supply shortfall of 117 million cubic metres by 2040, what timber laundering and the incoming EUDR mean for the trade, and how new US tariffs could reshape transatlantic wood flows. Peter also shares why institutional investors still own only a fraction of Europe's forests compared to the US, how regulation can act as a moat rather than a burden, and where he sees the next opportunities emerging. "Institutions are still quite early in European forestry. One estimate says about one percent of European forests is institutionally owned. If you look at the US, that's 69%. But it is moving; this is definitely a developing and maturing market." Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A note on audio qualityPlease accept our apologies for the less-than-perfect audio quality in this episode. Unfortunately, we experienced some technical issues during recording that affected the sound. We have worked to clean up and enhance the audio as much as possible in post-production, but some imperfections remain. That said, we firmly believe the conversation is well worth a listen. The insights shared, the expertise on offer, and the value of the discussion are simply too important not to share. We hope you will look past the occasional audio imperfections and enjoy this particularly valuable conversation. The ForestLink newsletter sign-up Silvipar Today, I'm joined by Martin Forsen, Executive Chairman of Silvipar. In this conversation, Martin traces Silvipar's story from an investment in a century-old Swedish pulp mill turned biorefinery to nearly 100,000 hectares of acquired land in southern Paraguay, where fast-growing eucalyptus plantations are laying the groundwork for a new forest industry. We talk about why Paraguay came out on top of a search of more than 100 countries and the growth rates behind the project. Martin explains how Silvipar's joint venture with Astarte Capital Partners in 2020 created an impact forestry fund, now growing toward $500 million across two funds, and why carbon financing was crucial to raising that capital. We discuss the mainly degraded cattle-ranching land Silvipar buys and restores and why it sets aside over 30% of its land (four times the legal requirement) with a biodiversity net gain target. We take the tougher debates head-on: the eucalyptus narrative and water use, carbon markets and their moving goalposts, and how large-scale industrial forestry and small community-led projects can complement each other. We also explore Martin's long-term vision for what forestry could mean for Paraguay's economy. "When we started here, no one believed that Paraguay could become a forest nation. Now the Minister of Forestry goes out and says that Paraguay has 8 million hectares of land suitable for reforestation and afforestation, of which 5 million hectares should be planted with industrial trees for the industry." Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up Perennial Nature Today, I’m joined by Ivo Mulder, Co-Founder and Partner at Perennial Nature and former Head of Climate Finance at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). In this conversation, Ivo shares his motivation for launching Perennial Nature and its mission to accelerate investment in nature and climate-positive projects. We discuss the barriers preventing mainstream capital from reaching forest and nature-based solutions, from perceived risk and investor unfamiliarity to regulatory disincentives and mismatched investment horizons. Drawing on his experience structuring blended finance initiatives, Ivo shares lessons from two contrasting examples, exploring why some deals succeed while others struggle to achieve their ambitions. We discuss the importance of aligning partners, building trust, and structuring investments that meet the needs of different capital providers. We also explore the complementary roles of development finance institutions and the private sector. "There is more and more data available and that data can also be translated into standard financial metrics, meaning how would a climate risk translate into impact on EBITDA, for example, or on future sales. If you move towards that, at least you speak the language that analysts and financial specialists understand." Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is not an endorsement for this opportunity, nor is it an investment recommendation or investment advice. Send an email to [email protected] to learn how to apply Watch on You Tube The ForestLink newsletter sign-up Scellec Teca The Ask: Up to $60M EUR to acquire land and establish high value teak plantations in Colombia Blurb: Today on Pitch Pod, I'm joined by Michael Hayden, CEO of Scellec Teca to explore the company’s investment model for developing high-quality teak plantations in Colombia. Building on a first project that has deployed €32 million across nearly 4,000 hectares, Michael introduces Project Two – a greenfield teak investment seeking up to €60 million in institutional capital. We discuss why Colombia’s Caribbean region offers attractive growing conditions for teak, Scellec's approach to land acquisition and plantation management, and the role of FSC certification and carbon credits in the investment model. Michael explains the long-term supply and demand dynamics behind teak, including opportunities in Asian roundwood markets and higher-value end uses. We also dig into projected returns, timber growth and price assumptions, land values, currency and operational risks, and potential exit pathways. Finally, Michael shares lessons learned from Project One and explains why strong relationships with employees and local communities are fundamental to managing forestry assets for the long term. “We would go as far as saying that the world needs Latin America to plant three million hectares of commercial teak. That is the only real solution we see as being able to take the pressure off the natural tropical hardwood forests.” Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Sound Library Ecology-Agriculture-Environment via Pixabay Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up Forest Trends (LinkedIn) Read the report Today, I’m joined by Genevieve Bennett, Senior Advisor and Interim Director at Forest Trends’ Ecosystem Marketplace. In this conversation, we unpack findings from the State of Private Investment in Nature 2026 report and the numbers behind the rapid growth of natural capital investing. Genevieve explains why private investment in nature has grown five-fold over the past decade, where capital is being deployed, and how institutional participation has evolved. We discuss evidence that the repositioning of Timberland around natural capital is more than a branding exercise, with carbon and other natural capital revenues increasingly incorporated into forest investment strategies and underwriting. We also explore the growing sophistication of investors, why impact measurement and diligence can slow capital deployment, and the role of catalytic capital in building the next generation of nature investment opportunities. "Deployed capital in 2025 exceeded $14 billion. And on top of that, we tracked more than ten times that $14 billion figure in publicly announced planned allocations for the next three years. So there is a lot of dry powder." "When you look at the share of forestry deals that are layering carbon revenue or other natural capital revenue onto timber revenue, they have jumped from one in five deals five years ago to half of deals in the last couple of years.” 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Genevieve Bennett and Forest Trends 06:05 Who benefits from Ecosystem Marketplace's data? 08:35 Why private investment in nature matters now 13:39 Defining nature finance: the six categories 19:13 Report methodology and data sources 21:41 Private investment in nature grows fivefold 23:08 Which nature finance strategies are growing? 28:44 The impact of large transactions and institutional investors 31:57 Forestry investment: three case studies 34:39 How forestry's share of nature investment has changed 38:47 Is natural capital changing forestry underwriting? 45:34 Investor priorities, impact and due diligence 49:40 Where is nature investment heading? 50:41 Looking ahead to 2036 55:33 The role of catalytic capital 59:19 Advice for new forest investors 01:00:29 Where to find the report and learn more 01:01:13 Closing Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forest Invest Connect – What’s happening in carbon markets? With Margaret Morales, Maria Filmanovic and Renat Heuberger. Attendance is limited. REGISTER HERE When: Wednesday, September 30th, 16:00-17:00 CET The ForestLink newsletter sign-up Alder Point Capital on LinkedIn Today, I’m joined by Chris Larson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Alder Point Capital. In this conversation, Chris shares the journey behind launching Alder Point and its approach to investing across timberland and farmland. We discuss where the team sees opportunities to create value in non-core and sub-institutional timberland markets through land aggregation, conservation transactions, carbon, and hands-on operational improvements. Chris explains Alder Point’s approach to impact investing, including its focus on biodiversity, climate resilience, and rural prosperity, and why intentionality matters when investing for environmental and social outcomes. We also explore the importance of showing up in rural communities, building trust with local stakeholders, and considering aligned exit opportunities with tribes, nonprofits, and community organizations. Finally, Chris reflects on moving from the allocator to the GP side of the table and shares his advice for investors considering their first allocation to forest investment. “We take what we call a ‘listen first’ approach. It’s never a good move to show up and start explaining why you think you’re going to save the day. Learn and understand what the local perspective is and how you might fit into that.” Chapters00:33 – Welcome to Forest Invest 00:52 – Chris Larson and Alder Point Capital 04:54 – Why Alder Point Was Founded 06:15 – Launching a New Investment Strategy 09:16 – How Alder Point Creates Value 13:23 – Operational Improvements in Forestry 15:33 – A Look at a Timberland Investment 18:42 – Community Forests and Local Land Ownership 20:11 – Who Invests in Alder Point? 24:24 – Measuring Impact in Forest Investments 26:30 – What Makes Alder Point’s Impact Strategy Different? 29:41 – Finding Biodiversity Opportunities 30:51 – Where Alder Point Invests 33:38 – Managing Climate Risk 35:16 – Investing in Climate-Risky Areas 37:13 – Working With Rural Communities 42:23 – Building Relationships for Successful Exits 44:25 – Lessons From the Allocator Side 48:04 – What’s Next for Alder Point? 50:14 – One Piece of Advice for New Forest Investors 52:17 – Where to Learn More 52:41 – Closing Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up Forest Invest Connect - Virtual Round Table - Register here: https://lnkd.in/ewDKg5bq When: Wednesday, September 30th, 16:00-17:00 CET Today, I’m joined by Tim Christophersen, Vice President of Climate Action at Salesforce and author of Generation Restoration. In this conversation, Tim makes the case for seeing nature not simply as a commodity but as our most basic infrastructure – and investing in it accordingly. We discuss Salesforce’s nature-positive strategy and its work to catalyse forest landscape restoration, alongside the role of carbon markets, technology, and public-private partnerships in building a restoration economy at scale. Tim explains why resilience and diversity should be fundamental to forest investment decisions and what investors should look for to distinguish genuine ecological restoration from projects that simply look good in a sustainability report. We also explore the risks of scaling restoration badly, the need for patient capital, and why inaction may now be the biggest investment risk of all. “We need to move beyond the 'charity and nature as a charitable cause' mindset into a mindset of the regenerative, the restoration economy taking off, where you can restore all that degraded land into healthy, productive landscapes.” 00:00 – Introduction 01:33 – Tim Christophersen’s journey from forestry to Salesforce 08:00 – Generation Restoration: the relationship crisis with nature 11:28 – Personal action and restoring nature at home 15:12 – Nature as infrastructure and the restoration economy 19:40 – Salesforce’s nature-positive strategy 22:04 – Empowering companies and customers to take action 26:26 – Scaling restoration: lessons from Brazil 29:23 – Investing in nature and the challenge of measuring returns 35:50 – Getting nature onto the corporate agenda 37:33 – What makes a nature-positive forest investment? 39:55 – When should investors reject a forest investment? 41:03 – The risks of scaling restoration badly 43:31 – Identifying genuine ecological restoration 46:05 – The future of forest investment and the cost of inaction 48:13 – The future of carbon markets 49:46 – Lessons learned and avoiding past mistakes 51:20 – Restoration as a social movement 53:16 – Humans as ecosystem engineers 53:48 – Final advice for investors 55:04 – Closing and where to find Tim’s work Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up Aurora Sustainable Lands Aurora on LinkedIn Today, I'm joined by Cakey Worthington, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Natural Capital at Aurora Sustainable Lands. In this conversation, Cakey explains how Aurora has evolved from a carbon-focused investment strategy into a broader natural capital approach—one that values biodiversity, water, recreation, and other ecosystem services alongside financial returns. We discuss why carbon stewardship is replacing carbon maximization, how active forest management can strengthen both ecological resilience and long-term investment performance, and what investors should look for when evaluating natural capital asset managers. Cakey also shares how Aurora integrates field data, AI, remote sensing, and biodiversity monitoring across 1.65 million acres of forestland and why partnerships, transparency, and measurable outcomes will shape the future of institutional forest investment. "Our investors didn't invest in a fund—they invested in Aurora. That gives us the freedom to think beyond short-term returns and make management decisions that improve forest health, carbon outcomes, and ecosystem value for decades." 0:00 – Intro & favorite tree (the American white oak) 2:48 – Cakey's background and Aurora's origin story 8:01 – Investor profile and company structure 10:49 – From carbon strategy to natural capital 13:27 – What "natural capital" signals for the industry 16:56 – Harvesting operations and the evolving carbon strategy 19:42 – What to look for in a natural capital asset manager 23:56 – Data collection and operational decision-making 32:03 – Ecosystem services: insurance, communities, and other stakeholders 33:23 – Carbon stewardship vs. carbon maximization 40:08 – Lessons from adaptive, landscape-scale management 42:44 – Combining field data, remote sensing, and AI for monitoring 50:56 – The ISFC Natural Capital Project 53:37 – Balancing commercial returns with ecological outcomes 55:50 – Optimism for the future of natural capital 58:46 – Advice for investors new to forest investment 59:44 – Where to learn more about Aurora Sustainable Lands Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up Scottish Woodlands David Robertson on LinkedIn Today, I'm joined by David Robertson, Director of Investment and Business Development at Scottish Woodlands. In this conversation, David provides an inside look at Scotland's commercial forestry sector, explaining how productive forestry, biodiversity, and climate objectives can work together rather than compete. We discuss Scotland's timber supply, afforestation ambitions, forest investment opportunities, and how the UK remains heavily reliant on imported wood products. David also shares his perspective on balancing timber production with carbon projects, the evolution of modern plantation design, and why productive forests remain critical to long-term climate and economic resilience. We explore the challenges of public perception, community engagement, and the realities of managing forests in Scotland's unique landscape and climate. "The best advisors you can get are people who've got muddy boots but clean spreadsheets." 00:00 – Introduction and guest welcome 03:10 – David Robertson's background and Scottish Woodlands 06:07 – Scotland's forests: native vs commercial forestry 08:58 – Timber production, imports, and future supply challenges 11:15 – Government planting targets and afforestation ambitions 15:01 – Who invests in Scottish forestry? 17:13 – Timber production vs carbon projects 19:14 – Modern forestry: biodiversity and mixed-species planting 22:40 – Land ownership, leases, and carbon agreements 24:42 – Public access and Scotland's right to roam 26:57 – Community concerns and public perception of forestry 31:14 – Anti-forestry activism and the challenge of communication 32:48 – Why clear-cutting is still necessary in Scotland 39:17 – Changing public opinion through engagement 40:28 – Continuous cover forestry: opportunities and limitations 45:05 – The future of Scottish forestry over the next 20 years 48:38 – Advice for new forestry investors 50:57 – Where to learn more and closing remarks Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up The Lyme Timber Company Today I'm joined by Jim Hourdequin, CEO and Managing Director of The Lyme Timber Company, one of the pioneers of institutional timberland investing and impact forestry. As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, Jim reflects on the investment philosophy that has guided Lyme since 1976 and explains why naturally regenerating forests create unique opportunities to deliver both attractive investment returns and meaningful conservation outcomes. We discuss how conservation easements have become a cornerstone of Lyme's strategy, why the firm invests beyond the forest gate into logging businesses and sawmills, and the opportunities and trade-offs presented by forest carbon markets. Finally, Jim shares why evergreen investment structures, patient capital, and investing in people are essential ingredients for building resilient forests—and resilient forest businesses. "We have to make logging safer. We can't expect people to work eighty-hour weeks. If we invest in people, pay attractive wages and adopt better technology, we'll recruit outstanding professionals and build stronger forestry businesses over time." 00:00 – Introduction and Lyme Timber's 50-year anniversary 02:30 – Jim Hourdequin's background and the evolution of Lyme Timber 06:30 – Building a long-term investment philosophy in timberland 11:30 – Pioneering impact investing through conservation 17:00 – Conservation easements: how they work and why they matter 29:55 – Carbon markets: opportunities, limitations, and trade-offs 36:40 – Investing beyond forests: strengthening the timber supply chain 40:55 – Mechanized logging, safety, and innovation on steep terrain 45:05 – Addressing labor shortages and the future of forestry operations 47:45 – Lyme's new evergreen fund and long-term vision 51:45 – Advice for new forest investors and closing remarks Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up Jen Stebbing on LinkedIn Sotora Global AFF's Permanence Trust's preliminary findings Climate Collective SHIFT-CM's Buffer Pools & Beyond RMI Nature's Echo - Prof. Thomas Crowther Today, I'm joined once again by Jen Stebbing, CEO and Co-Founder of Sotora Global, to unpack the biggest conversations from London Climate Action Week 2026 and what they mean for forest investors, carbon markets, and nature finance. Jen shares why this year's discussions marked a noticeable shift from questioning whether carbon markets work to focusing on how to scale them with greater integrity. We explore the emerging demand signals from corporate buyers, the evolving role of standards such as SBTi, and why a communications gap—not necessarily a market gap—may be holding back investment confidence. We also take a deep dive into one of the week's most promising developments: the concept of Contracted Durability and the Permanence Trust, an innovative approach that could fundamentally change how reversal risk is managed in forest carbon markets. Along the way, we discuss portfolio approaches to climate investing, REDD+, forest carbon pricing, nature-based removals versus avoided emissions, and why protecting existing forests remains just as critical as planting new ones. If you want a concise overview of where climate finance, forest carbon, and nature markets are heading—and what investors should be watching next—this episode provides an invaluable temperature check from one of the sector's most connected voices "I think there's now a communications gap between where carbon markets actually are and where people think they are. Much of the public narrative is still stuck in 2023, while the market itself has moved forward substantially." 00:00 – Introduction and overview of London Climate Action Week 01:00 – What London Climate Action Week is really like 03:33 – The biggest takeaway: markets and finance are working 05:16 – Missed sessions, FOMO, and key workshops on permanence 06:28 – Permanence, durability, and the Permanence Trust explained 10:04 – Demand-side challenges and signals from carbon buyers 12:42 – New standards, policy developments, and future demand drivers 16:47 – Reframing carbon market risk for investors 18:33 – Why buyers remain cautious despite growing confidence 20:27 – Portfolio investing and emerging buyer strategies 22:08 – Practical successes and innovations from the field 24:23 – REDD+, governance improvements, and social value measurement 25:46 – The true cost of high-integrity forest carbon 26:56 – Major announcements and promising new initiatives 28:00 – Policy discussions and the European outlook 30:22 – Investor preferences across forest carbon project types 33:28 – Super pollutants as an entry point to carbon markets 35:36 – Behind-the-scenes conversations and AI in climate finance 37:01 – Frustrations and three key messages from the week 38:29 – Looking ahead to London Climate Action Week in 2036 40:13 – Book recommendation and final reflections 40:51 – Revisiting the Permanence Trust and contracted durability 46:47 – Investment advice for newcomers to forest finance 47:44 – Closing remarks and where to learn more Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up SFM Agribusiness From the Asset Vault: In this conversation, I'm joined by Andrew Morgan, Managing Director of SFM Agribusiness, one of Australia’s leading forest management operators - both for traditional timberland management and more recently, in plantation forest carbon projects. We explore the evolution of Australia’s compliance carbon forestry market and the benefits and challenges of the system's standards and methodological approaches for generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (or ACCUs). Andrew explains the mechanism of the market, pricing, and who the main buyers are. He goes on to describe SFM's “ActivAcre” model and how it is enabling landowners to partner with institutional investors for new forest investments. Andrew walks us through the logistic, regulatory, and social factors impacting land aggregation and how carbon credits are reshaping institutional forestry portfolios in Australia. "If you'd asked me 3 or 4 years ago, carbon and a carbon strategy weren't even considered by most institutional investors when looking at larger assets. It's now a really important part of the value. Traditionally, it was the land and the tree crop. There's now land, tree crop, and carbon. And it could be forming 20 - 30% of the total valuation." 00:12 – Introduction and guest overview 00:48 – Andrew Morgan's background and SFM Agribusiness 03:17 – History of carbon forestry in Australia 06:31 – The four plantation carbon methodologies explained 09:06 – Why Australia needs more plantation forests 10:46 – How Australia's carbon market works 13:48 – Carbon credit buyers and market demand 15:20 – Voluntary vs compliance carbon markets 16:22 – Strengths and weaknesses of the compliance system 20:39 – Future supply and demand for Australian carbon credits 21:50 – Lessons from developing plantation carbon projects 23:44 – The Active Acre landowner partnership model 29:37 – Landowner engagement and scaling plantations 30:52 – Landowner concerns and long-term risk 35:21 – Institutional investor perspectives 38:39 – Evaluating land and building project pipelines 40:51 – Why major emitters invest directly in carbon projects 42:22 – Unlocking Australia's plantation forestry potential 44:34 – Emerging trends in carbon, biomass and biodiversity 48:51 – Advice for new forest investors 50:11 – Closing remarks and where to learn more Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up FutureVistas https://holmgrenpeter.substack.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-holmgren-ab58319/? Today, I’m joined by Peter Holmgren, Founder and Senior Advisor at FutureVistas, former Head of Climate Change at the FAO, and former Director General of CIFOR. In this conversation, Peter unpacks the growing debate surrounding the EU’s Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) regulation and its implications for forest management, timber production, and climate policy. We discuss the scientific controversies behind forest carbon accounting, the risks of short-term climate targets, and why reducing timber harvests may not deliver the climate benefits policymakers expect. Peter explains concepts such as leakage, substitution, and additionality, and shares his perspective on how current policy frameworks could affect forest owners, processors, and investors. We also explore the role of wood-based products in reducing society’s dependence on fossil-based materials and why production forestry remains central to Europe’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness. Quote 1: "We need to move the forest out of the environment corner and put it as an asset for society as a whole, and raise the issues to that level." Quote 2: "If we talk about investments and value adding to the produce of the forests, then it's interesting that only less than five percent of the value is realized when the wood is harvested and put by roadside, and only ten percent is realized after the primary forest industry. Ninety percent of the value added is happening after that when a myriad of different products are being produced, marketed, sold and used by Europeans... One way to put it is that every European uses forest products every day throughout their lives, and that's where the real economic importance of the forest is visible." 0:12 Introduction and guest welcome1:08 Peter Holmgren's forestry career and current work2:18 What LULUCF means and why it matters3:47 Is LULUCF a European or global issue?5:40 Where policymakers have gone wrong7:45 Scientific controversies around forest harvest and carbon neutrality11:04 Short-term climate targets versus long-term forest management13:10 Swedish example of reduced harvest and alternative management16:06 Overview of the EU climate law and LULUCF regulation20:57 Why reducing harvest is seen as the main tool to meet targets22:04 Climate goals versus conservation goals23:41 Which EU member states are struggling with LULUCF targets25:25 Impacts on private forest landowners29:36 Leakage, processing facilities, and competitiveness30:42 What the regulation means for forest investors33:05 Which countries are pushing for production forestry34:46 How stakeholders can influence policy36:43 Forests as a broader economic asset38:24 Peter's current work with industry and policy40:41 Do we have a sustainability problem in European forestry?42:43 Substitution and reducing fossil dependence44:48 Packaging, paper products, and climate benefits46:06 Using every part of the tree and integrated value chains48:01 Bio-based fuels and climate policy incentives50:15 Advice for new forest investors51:44 Where to learn more and closing remarks Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up World Bank Group - International Development, Poverty and Sustainability International Finance Corporation (IFC) Homepage | European Investment Bank In this episode from the asset vault, I’m joined by Daniel Farchy, an expert in multilateral finance who has worked across the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). In this conversation, Daniel describes the development and impact mandate behind most multilateral finance institutions. We talk about blended finance (particularly what structure works well for forestry) and the power of concessional capital to crowd in more risk-averse investors. Daniel explains the conundrum of the finance available in capital markets compared to the relatively small need for climate and nature solutions – where legally restricted allocations mean the finance pool is not as big as we think. We discuss the heavy lifting that multilateral or DFI finance can do in screening and due diligence. Conversely, this can also be perceived as a downside, as the investment process in such a partnership takes more time. Quote: For asset owners, that's [forest investment] very attractive because if you're a pension fund, and you need to be able to deliver, a boring, steady, predictable return over 10 number of years, it's great to have that kind of thing in your portfolio because that gives you a certain degree of sustainability of return, which you will not get in much more volatile sectors. 00:00 – Introduction & Guest Background 03:30 – Understanding Multilateral Development Finance Institutions 07:05 – Returns, Capital Structure & Investment Mandates 09:50 – How to Partner with Multilateral Investors 12:00 – Due Diligence, Safeguards & Approval Processes 17:20 – Blended Finance Explained 19:35 – First-Loss Capital & Risk-Sharing Structures 23:30 – The Limits of De-Risking Capital 26:30 – Capital Allocation Trends in Climate & Nature 28:30 – Public-Private Partnerships: Opportunities & Challenges 34:30 – Do DFIs Slow Down Investment? 36:30 – The Untapped Potential of Sustainable Forestry 38:00 – Advice for Fund Managers Seeking DFI Capital 40:00 – Why Forestry Appeals to Long-Term Investors 41:40 – Future Demand for Wood & Forest Products 42:25 – Closing Remarks & Further Resources Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up [email protected] In this episode from the asset vault, I'm joined by Dr. Colin Smith of Paperbark Consulting. Colin is an expert soil scientist, and in this conversation he shares his vast experience in plantation forestry, giving insights that will support investors (and forest managers for that matter) with what considerations should be made and questions should be asked when evaluating several technical plantation management factors. We talk about where certain tree species do best and get into specifics on soil, water, climate, the importance of research, ecological deserts and more. "The most dangerous thing in a forestry investment plan is a spreadsheet"00:08 Introduction & Guest Overview 00:43 Colin Smith’s Forestry Background and Consulting Work 05:37 Lessons from Forestry Failures and Investment Due Diligence 08:50 Key Factors in Evaluating Plantation Forest Investments 13:07 Site-Level Management, Silviculture & Weed Control 15:25 Native Species vs Commercial Plantation Species 17:33 Eucalyptus, Water Use & Sustainability Myths 22:41 Does Irrigation Make Sense in Forestry? 30:12 Climate Change, Species Selection & Risk Management 35:55 Why Forestry Projects Need Research & Development Trials 39:02 Biodiversity, Soil Health & the ‘Ecological Desert’ Debate 43:21 Colin’s Top Advice for New Forest Investors 44:34 How to Contact Colin Smith 45:34 Colin’s Favourite Tree Revisited 46:26 Closing Remarks & Outro Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay) Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.