Resources & Insights
Why “How much does it cost to plant a tree?” is the Wrong Question
Recently, a reader raised questions regarding the complexity of forest investment financial modelling after my most recent article on bankable NBS projects. Simultaneously I happened upon a white paper written on the topic of The Real Cost of Restoring Forests by...
Mobilizing Investable NBS Projects
In this article, I reflect on my interactions with capital seekers and deal seekers to provide some insights for the developers, so that they might put their best foot forward when given the opportunity to present their project to an investor.
Investing in a Biodiversity-Integrated Manner
This article provides an overview of a recent white paper by the WEF, which aims to ‘demystify’ biodiversity practices among the investment community, recommends tools for risk management and ways to leverage investment opportunities in nature-positive business models.
Insetting Opportunities in the Cocoa Sector
This article summarizes my review of Ferrero’s 2021 sustainability report, and draws some reflections as to how they could bring together the positive elements of their work into an Insetting Strategy, and unlock even more value and impact.
Regenerative Travel: Linking tourism, climate action and nature-based solutions
This article provides an overview of a recent joint report by Regenerative Travel, and Solimar International & the University of Edinburgh, highlighting how several businesses within the tourism sector have implemented Nature-based Solutions (NBS) and regenerative practices into their daily business operations to help tackle climate change.
Is Smallholder Forestry Investable?
Smallholder tree growing brings several complexities across the forest to wood product value chain. This article explores these elements as uncovered by research in Elsevier’s Land Use Policy and makes inferences for the investment community considering to apply the smallholder approach.
The 7 Pillars of Additionality…
In this article, I layout the basics about additionality, how it applies to forest investment, and 7 pillars you can use in the design of your forest investment to ensure additionality is achieved.
Redefining the Forest Investment Case to Attract Net-Zero Investors
Last week I had the honour of speaking at the International Forestry Business Conference. In my presentation I discussed how to redefine the forest investment case to support these prospectors, providing them with knowledge, access to high quality projects and the credibility they need in realizing a full spectrum of forest values from their investments. The following article summarizes my presentation.
Adding value to waste
The case for bioenergy in British Columbia I was recently on an advisory visit, reviewing the challenges and opportunities around the bioenergy sector in British Columbia. The study explored the complicated issues pertaining to the BC forest industry, such as...
The Investment Case for People and Nature
Today, at the World Forestry Congress (WFC) in Korea, a day has been devoted to the topic of sustainable investments in forests for people, profit and nature, and I am honored to sit on a panel with WWF New Generation Plantations (NGP), titled: Screening in:...
Land Degradation Assessment for Dummies
Forest degradation or land degradation are terms that are thrown around loosely in the nature-based solutions space. This article aims to provide some guidance for preliminary land evaluation to answer this seemingly simple question – is this forest degraded?
So, you want to build a Nature-based Solutions Pipeline…?
Whenever I start a conversation with an investor who is interested to build a NBS pipeline, the primary questions I ask in order to understand their strategy are more or less the same. I thought I would share some of these with you, so if you are looking to develop your own NBS pipeline, you can gain some clarity on where you want to go.