Institutional Investors

Investors convened at the Who Will Own the Forest? conference in Portland discussed timberland’s newfound sexiness, as demonstrators’ sawdust attack and reports of smashed windows reflected the growing profile of the asset class.

APG’s Ben Avery said the asset was a 'very high-quality plantation forestry resource' with significant potential to increase carbon sequestration.

Investors voted to wind up the fund due to the rise in farmland values since its launch, which have compressed rental yields and offer a chance to secure strong exit prices now.

The firm has cashed in on its long history and track record to raise the third-largest dedicated food and ag fund.

Schwartz says the genetics, breeding and licensing segment of the food and ag value chain is made up of ‘fundamentally important and good businesses’.

US undersecretary says $3bn Climate Smart Commodities program can think beyond cap and trade and work creatively to scale agtech alongside farm and land managers.

Director of real estate Tim Schlitzer says climate-driven purchases have produced a 'mismatch' with appraisers that contributed to underperformance relative to NCREIF’s timber benchmark.

New Forests Asia’s Tropical Asia Forest Fund II had raised $120m against a $300m target prior to the commitments.

Asset managers New Forests, Gresham House, Dasos Capital and Rayonier are among 10 firms that have founded the ISFC to help shape frameworks and policies affecting the nascent natural capital asset class.

The Australian government’s proposed intervention in Murray-Darling Basin water markets should be good news for investors in terms of values – but it may come with additional scrutiny should weather conditions get drier.