Attracting Private Capital to the New Forest Economy – A Social Investment Perspective
By David Berge - Underdog Ventures View PublicationThe market for sustainable forestry investment is growing very rapidly, and poised to grow faster
still. It is part of a larger trend of socially-and environmentally-responsible investing that encompasses mutual funds (now worth over US$2 trillion), with selective stock-picking and
activist shareholders; community investment vehicles ($5.4 billion in around 500 organizations in
the U.S.); and private philanthropy. Furthermore, in every major asset class, socially responsible
investment has been found to have double the financial performance. These investors should be
seen as major potential customers for sustainable forestry companies.