Unlocking Finance for Forest Protection: FSC and Mirova Partner to Drive Global Climate Action

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers dedicated to sustainable investing, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to unlock responsible finance for planted forests, sustainable management of natural forests, and other land-use projects. This strategic alliance aims to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges, including deforestation, soil degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and to promote equitable economic development and inclusiveness.

Fostering Sustainable Land Management for Climate & Biodiversity Resilience

Sustainable forest management is essential for enhancing climate resilience, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring decent livelihoods for local communities. In 2022, the world lost 6.6 million hectares of forests, primarily in tropical regions, contributing to significant biodiversity loss and an increase of 2.7 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions¹.

Through their partnership, FSC and Mirova aim to champion best-in-class forest conservation, large-scale reforestation, and responsible production of forest-based materials. By channeling investments into FSC-certified solutions, the partnership seeks to drive measurable impact in climate adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and social inclusion, with a strong focus on empowering women and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs)².

Scaling Investment for FSC-Certified Solutions

FSC and Mirova will work together to identify high-impact investment opportunities and implement forestry projects. With an initial focus on Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, the partnership will prioritize building a robust pipeline of forestry initiatives that deliver measurable environmental and social benefits and aims to implement the best sustainable forestry and reforestation practices within timber and other forest resource value chains.

Gautier Quéru, Managing Director, Natural Capital, Mirova: “Our partnership with FSC will enable us to direct capital toward high-quality forestry projects that not only protect vital ecosystems but also empower local communities. By investing in these sustainable initiatives, we seek to enhance the potential for long-term financial returns, demonstrating that responsible investing can yield both environmental and economic benefits for all, while addressing urgent challenges like deforestation and climate change.”

Subhra Battacharjee, Director General, FSC International: “Forests are global public good in their role as a critical line of defense against climate change and biodiversity loss. They also provide food, livelihoods and ecosystem services to over 1.6 billion people³. Our partnership with Mirova represents a major step toward aligning responsible investment with responsible forest management, ensuring forests continue to support people and the planet for generations to come."

Sustainable Finance as a Climate Solution

This partnership underscores the critical role of sustainable finance in scaling nature-based solutions to address global sustainability challenges. By integrating impact-driven investment strategies with FSC-certified forestry projects, FSC and Mirova are setting a new precedent for leveraging financial markets to drive environmental and social progress.

As the world prepares for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP 30) in Brazil, where forests and land use will be central to climate negotiations, this collaboration reinforces the need for finance-driven solutions to protect and restore the world's forests - one of the most powerful tools in the fight against climate change.