FSC And Mirova Partner For Sustainable Forestry Investment

In a strategic partnership that highlights the increasing overlap between environmental sustainability and inclusive finance, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Mirova—a Natixis Investment Managers affiliate dedicated to sustainable investment—have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support sustainable forestry and land-use activities globally. The partnership is rooted in Mirova's Sustainable Land Fund 2, a high-impact fund committed to nature-based solutions that restore ecosystems while providing measurable economic returns.

At the core of the alliance is a common dedication to ending deforestation, building climate resilience, and incorporating social equity into environmental management. With deforestation raging unabated—6.6 million hectares were lost in 2022 alone, releasing 2.7 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions—it is urgent to re-orient capital into forest preservation and responsible land-use practices. This initiative responds directly to that urgency by financing projects that are certified by FSC, globally recognized for their commitment to responsible forest management.

In remarks on the partnership, Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC International's Director General, highlighted the significance of forests to the global effort against climate change and biodiversity erosion. "Forests are a global public good and a frontline defence against climate change and biodiversity loss," said Bhattacharjee. "Our partnership with Mirova aligns responsible investment with responsible forest management, ensuring forests can continue supporting people and the planet for generations."

The project will target climate-critical areas in Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia—regions where ecosystems are acutely threatened but also have huge potential for biodiversity conservation and climate action. By investing capital in FSC-certified forestry initiatives, the partnership will safeguard these precious ecosystems while also unlocking sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

According to Gautier Queru, Managing Director for Natural Capital at Mirova, the fund represents a model for investing that balances environmental and economic interests. “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,” Queru said. “We aim to demonstrate that responsible investing can yield both environmental and economic returns.”

One of the most significant aspects of the FSC-Mirova partnership is its social inclusion orientation. The project has a strong emphasis on enabling women and IPLCs, who are typically most impacted by forest loss but least included in conservation finance. They are often custodians of forests and hotspots of biodiversity but are constrained by systemic factors that exclude them from mainstream conservation initiatives. By integrating social equity into the investment model, the partnership aims to develop a more inclusive environmental stewardship approach that acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of these groups.

This MoU comes at a critical juncture in international environmental dialogue. As COP30 gets underway in Brazil, and land use expected to be a key topic of discussion, the FSC-Mirova partnership would be a template for future partnerships between financial institutions and sustainability entities. Its strategy tells us how focused capital deployment can be mobilized to address twin crises—climate change and biodiversity loss—while inclusive economic growth is enhanced.

The wider context also encompasses Mirova's growing commitment to impact finance and sustainability. The investment company recently raised more than €200 million for its Impact Fund and initiated a new fund designed to create quantifiable social benefits. This trend supports Mirova's status as a sustainable finance pioneer and demonstrates an increasing investor interest in reconciling financial performance with beneficial environmental and social impacts.

Ultimately, the FSC-Mirova collaboration is a visionary model for harnessing financial tools to catalyze systemic change in forest management. By bridging certified sustainability principles, evidence-based impact measurement, and participatory development, this collaboration heralds a compelling revolution toward comprehensive, socially responsible investing. With the world still trying to navigate the linked problems of climate change, environmental degradation, and social injustice, collaborations like this one provide a blueprint for action—one built on science, morality, and collective global responsibility.