Join me today as I speak with Asger Strange Olesen and Herbert Yancey of the International Woodland Company, Asset Management + for an informative discussion on the EU Taxonomy. In this conversation we dig into the differences between the SFDR and the EU Taxonomy and how investors are looking at these sustainability regulations and tools. Though largely a concern for European investors, we talk about why it matters in forest investments the world over and how IWC AM+ is applying the EU Taxonomy in its approach to sustainable forest investment. We talk about the potentially affronting aspects, such as costs, management burden and how compliance will be monitored by the regulatory authorities, and spoiler alert – it’s not a drag on returns and will support the management of resilient forests.
“If you are not considering climate change with your forest assets, you’re doing a disservice to your investors”
Host: Shauna Matkovich - The Forest Link
Producer: Magdalena Laas - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laasmagdalena/
Details
01:50
Asger gives an overview re. EU taxonomy, SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation), impact on investments
05:50
Asger give more details about SFDR to avoid large-scale green washing
06:40
Asger explains how the disclosures moves from asset level to financial regulatory authorities
08:15
Looking at forest funds from different perspectives
10:39
Herbert explains American sentiment in investment regulations
13:23
Asger explains how IWC view EU taxonomy in the assets they manage
16:10
Asger explains about the learning curve translating financial regulation into investment strategy
18:30
Asger explains specific metrics (broad & context specific)
20:47
Herbert gives the American perspective – enhance forest resiliency
22:53
Asger adds to Herbert’s point – explains how SDFR works – making your methods transparent and comparable (it’s njot compulsory)
24:50
Asger gives a summary, touches on exploitation of the asset, if not sustainable, investors will move away
26:17
Asger explains the operational cost differences expected in an EU taxonomy aligned asset vs a non-taxonomy aligned asset
28:49
Asger elaborates on how aligning the EU taxonomy with one’s investment strategy build value in asset management (including point of exit opportunities)
31:03
Asger talks about how SFDR and EU taxonomy compliance will be monitored
37:47
Actionable advice to investors from Asger and then Herbert
34.58
IWC contact details
[22:47] Herbert: If you are not considering climate change with your forest assets, you’re doing a disservice to your investors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-international-woodland-company/
Sound Library: