Dr David Brand
Global forestry investment manager New Forests has joined nearly 200 companies as the newest member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Source: Timberbiz
New Forests, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Singapore and San Francisco, offers regionally focused investment opportunities in forestry, land management and conservation.
Founded in 2005, New Forests has more than USD$3.5 billion in assets under management globally and manages more than 950,000 hectares of land and forests in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the United States for sustainable timber production and conservation.
The company also manages timber processing businesses and infrastructure assets and has an international timber marketing and trading subsidiary.
By connecting with WBCSD’s network of businesses across a variety of sectors, New Forests can deepen the impact of its corporate sustainability initiatives and position its investment programs at the forefront of global sustainability best practice.
“We are delighted to join WBCSD and look forward to exploring how responsible investment in land and forestry resources can help drive climate solutions, support a transition to a bio-economy, and achieve implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” David Brand, New Forests’ CEO said.
“We are particularly interested in WBCSD’s leading work in relation to climate smart land use and the alignment of retirement assets with sustainability challenges. We aspire to work collaboratively with WBCSD and its members to help make the world’s forests and the broader forestry sector an essential part of the low-carbon economy.”
Forests, food and land can be 30% of the climate solution by 2030 – and WBCSD’s membership is uniquely positioned across sectors to advance natural climate solutions. Not only do forests and associated soils and peatlands contain more carbon than the atmosphere, but forests provide the basis for 50% of the biodiversity of the world and are the source of the majority of global freshwater.
Forests are also the source of a myriad of sustainable, renewable and low embodied energy building materials, packaging, consumer goods, fabrics and renewable energy systems.
“WBCSD is honored to welcome New Forests as our newest member. We are dedicated to working towards a transformation of society to sustainable systems and this can only be achieved in collaboration with companies across the full value chain. As a sustainable real assets investment manager, New Forests brings a unique perspective and input into the way financial systems can be aligned with sustainable development,” WBCSD President and CEO Peter Bakker said.
