Forest Invest

The ForestLink newsletter sign-upFutureVistashttps://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 remarksFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

The ForestLink newsletter sign-upWorld Bank Group - International Development, Poverty and SustainabilityInternational Finance Corporation (IFC)Homepage | European Investment BankIn 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 Background03:30 – Understanding Multilateral Development Finance Institutions07:05 – Returns, Capital Structure & Investment Mandates09:50 – How to Partner with Multilateral Investors12:00 – Due Diligence, Safeguards & Approval Processes17:20 – Blended Finance Explained19:35 – First-Loss Capital & Risk-Sharing Structures23:30 – The Limits of De-Risking Capital26:30 – Capital Allocation Trends in Climate & Nature28:30 – Public-Private Partnerships: Opportunities & Challenges34:30 – Do DFIs Slow Down Investment?36:30 – The Untapped Potential of Sustainable Forestry38:00 – Advice for Fund Managers Seeking DFI Capital40:00 – Why Forestry Appeals to Long-Term Investors41:40 – Future Demand for Wood & Forest Products42:25 – Closing Remarks & Further ResourcesFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

The ForestLink newsletter sign-upcs.paperbark@gmail.comIn 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 Overview00:43 Colin Smith’s Forestry Background and Consulting Work05:37 Lessons from Forestry Failures and Investment Due Diligence08:50 Key Factors in Evaluating Plantation Forest Investments13:07 Site-Level Management, Silviculture & Weed Control15:25 Native Species vs Commercial Plantation Species17:33 Eucalyptus, Water Use & Sustainability Myths22:41 Does Irrigation Make Sense in Forestry?30:12 Climate Change, Species Selection & Risk Management35:55 Why Forestry Projects Need Research & Development Trials39:02 Biodiversity, Soil Health & the ‘Ecological Desert’ Debate43:21 Colin’s Top Advice for New Forest Investors44:34 How to Contact Colin Smith45:34 Colin’s Favourite Tree Revisited46:26 Closing Remarks & OutroFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

The ForestLink newsletter sign-upWeyerhaeuserToday, I’m joined by Ara Erickson, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability at Weyerhaeuser. In this conversation, Ara explains how one of the world’s largest private forest landowners approaches sustainability across more than 20 million acres of managed forests in the US and Canada. We discuss the evolution of sustainable forestry over the past century, the realities of managing forests for multiple values, and why healthy, actively managed forests are critical for climate resilience and wildfire mitigation. Ara shares insights into timber REIT structures, forest certification, carbon markets, renewable energy opportunities, and the growing role of forests in delivering climate and nature solutions. We also explore the future of wood as a sustainable building material and the increasing importance of integrating environmental, social, and financial outcomes in forest investment strategy.“I think there is still yet a full recognition of how hard it is to manage for multiple values. Forests are being asked to provide so many solutions at once, and all of those values are fully integrated — they can’t really be separated.”00:00 – Introduction & Meet Ara Erickson01:58 – Weyerhaeuser's History & Legacy06:23 – Weyerhaeuser's Forest Holdings10:54 – Beyond Timber: Additional Revenue Streams12:18 – Understanding the Timber REIT Model18:33 – Sustainability in a Public Company27:24 – The Evolution of Sustainable Forestry33:16 – Wildfire, Forest Health & Forest Management41:03 – Weyerhaeuser's Sustainability Initiatives46:02 – The Future of Forestry & Sustainability50:43 – Advice for New Forest Investors52:11 – Final Thoughts & ResourcesFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

From the Vault - Jasper RenkMEAGMEAG on LinkedInJasper Renk on LinkedInFavourite trees: SpruceIn this rerun, I’m joined by Jasper Renk, Senior Investment Manager for Illiquid Assets in Natural Capital at MEAG. In this advice-packed episode, Jasper shares MEAG’s 15-year experience in investing in Timberland. He explains the most critical determining factors in deciding MEAG’s forest investment jurisdictions and describes how the organisation is well equipped to address climate risks, sitting on 140 years of climate data. Jasper shares his thoughts on how to house your forest investment and sheds light on why forest investment isn’t the most suitable for debt instruments. We talk about sustainability and how it is a core tenant of how they invest, emphasising that prioritising sustainability reduces risk and secures return expectations.QuoteSo what I'm getting at is that for us to retain the environmental functions and to retain a functioning ecosystem, that then. in turn, provides a renewable resource such as roundwood to the market – to retain that even in changing climates. It's not something that we must balance against return, but that ensures that in 10,20, 50, 100 years, we will still be able to provide that resource to the market. This is kind of the difference maybe in our thinking as opposed to some other market participants.Essentially, it goes hand in hand.Production teamHost: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesDetails01:02Background to MEAG & Jasper04:06Decision to move into timberland investments05:11MEAG's perception of timberland allocation performance07:58Shift in how assets are housed in portfolio10:51Learning curve for institutional investor12:52Risk-reduced way to gain exposure13:44Best instrument to get started (and trajectory)16:33Risk return profile of MEAG19:22Operational side of owned forest assets22:57Functioning transactional market24:38Investment vehicles, e,g. debt instruments27:45Sustainability32:00Sustainability objectives34:28Beneficiaries stand on sustainability39:08Actionable advice39:50Contact detailsSound libraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is not an endorsement for this opportunity, nor is it an investment recommendation or investment advice.Send an email to sdm@theforestlink.com to learn how to applyWatch on You TubeThe ForestLink newsletter sign-upGeneration ForestGeneration Forest on LinkedInThe Ask: $25M USD to acquire land in Panama and establish more permanent, productive biodiverse forests in PanamaToday on Pitch Pod, I’m joined by Andreas Eke, CEO of Generation Forest Invest. In this conversation, Andreas presents Generation Forest’s approach to building permanent, productive, biodiverse forests in Panama through a combination of land acquisition, native species reforestation, carbon finance, and long-term timber management. We discuss how the model is designed to generate returns from both timber and premium-priced carbon credits, while restoring degraded cattle land into permanent forest assets. Andreas explains the organization’s cooperative and institutional investment structures, the role of carbon pre-sales in financing expansion, and the strategy behind building a 50,000-hectare forest corridor supporting biodiversity, watershed protection, and rural livelihoods. We also explore the operational realities of managing mixed-species forestry, land acquisition due diligence, and why biodiversity and permanence may become increasingly important drivers of long-term forest value.Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryEcology-Agriculture-Environment via Pixabay

www.youtube.com/@Resources_TheForestLinkThe ForestLink newsletter sign-upPitch Pod is the new spin-off from Forest Invest, hosted by Shauna Matkovich, showcasing investment-ready forest and nature-based solutions opportunities.Each episode features a project pitch followed by a practical Q&A exploring strategy, impact, scalability, and commercial potential, giving investors, founders, and practitioners a behind-the-scenes look at real-world nature finance deals.New episodes drop alongside Forest Invest, with video versions available on YouTube.Pitch Pod is an awareness platform only and does not provide investment advice or endorsements.Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryEcology-Agriculture-Environment via Pixabay

The ForestLink newsletter sign-upSymbiosis CoalitionToday, I’m joined by Julia Strong, founder and executive director of Symbiosis Coalition. In this conversation, Julia explains how buyer-led demand can help scale high-integrity forest carbon projects and mobilize capital into nature-based carbon removal. We talk about the role of long-term offtake agreements, the quality criteria Symbiosis uses to evaluate developers, and the common reasons projects fall short in the RFP process. Julia also shares what investors and project developers need to understand about readiness, benefit sharing, and the future of forest carbon as an investable asset class.“Carbon finance is one of the most promising tools that we have in our toolkit to mobilize billions of dollars for nature, climate, and people. It hasn’t yet lived up to its potential, and that was a key reason for starting Symbiosis.”00:13 Introduction to Forest Invest00:34 Julia Strong’s favourite tree01:21 Julia’s background and the launch of Symbiosis03:13 Sending a clear demand signal for high-integrity carbon removals04:17 The four core components of Symbiosis05:20 Unlocking capital through buyer confidence and quality07:17 The 20 million ton commitment by 203009:42 What makes a developer a good fit for Symbiosis 12:17 How developers can access the Symbiosis RFP 14:42 The chicken-and-egg problem in project finance 17:03 Symbiosis quality criteria and project evaluation 24:01 How the RFP process can help shape the market 25:23 Symbiosis’ role after offtake agreements 26:39 Common reasons projects do not advance 31:01 Why pilots and local track records matter 32:16 Bridge capital and the valley of death 35:01 How long the diligence process can take 37:53 Living Carbon and Mombak project examples 41:27 Building a diversified carbon removal portfolio 43:47 How to accelerate buyer demand 47:09 What is next for Symbiosis 48:00 Advice for new forest investors 49:28 Where to learn more about Symbiosis 49:57 Closing thoughts from Shauna MatkovichFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

The ForestLink newsletter sign-upBIOFINToday, I’m joined by Abbie Trinidad, Anabelle Plantilla, and Niran Nirannoot from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), a UNDP-led programme now active in 131 countries. In this conversation, we explore how BIOFIN is tackling the biodiversity finance gap through practical ecotourism and conservation finance models in the Philippines and Thailand. We discuss community-led approaches in Sibalom Natural Park, tourist user charges and coral reef restoration on Koh Tao, and mangrove conservation in Phetchaburi. Along the way, we examine what it takes to attract private sector interest into biodiversity projects, the importance of policy and local institutions, and why conservation is increasingly an economic issue as much as an environmental one."Conservation is not just an environmental issue, it is actually an economic one" - Anabelle00:05 – Intro & BIOFIN guests00:36 – Favourite trees (icebreaker)01:48 – What is BIOFIN?05:53 – Why private investment matters07:56 – Biodiversity investment opportunities09:13 – Philippines: Sibalom Natural Park12:11 – Community ecotourism model18:36 – Early biodiversity outcomes23:15 – Carbon credits & policy gaps29:24 – Thailand: Koh Tao case32:29 – Tourist fee & fintech system39:00 – Impact: waste & coral recovery42:03 – Mangroves, co-investment & carbon48:36 – Key challenges & investor mindset52:55 – Final takeaway: nature as investmentFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)