Tag Archives: Forestry

Finnish timber export demand rise highlighted by FRA

February 23, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Finland’s increased timber products expert figures show that demand for timber is set to grow, according to FRA.

Seattle, United States, February 23, 2012 — Finland’s increased timber products expert figures show that demand for timber is set to grow, according to Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The research and analysis consultancy was responding to figures showing that Finland’s forestry industry exports rose by 4 per cent last year, and the value of the industry increased to EUR 20.8 billion.

FRA added that the increase reflects analysts’ views that the demand for timber in China, India and other growing economies, is huge and will continue to grow. Indeed, demand will start to exceed supply, driving up timber process and proving profitable for those with cash invested in forestry, according to many experts.

FRA also cited other factors like the increase in damage from the Pine Beetle in Canada and the rise in taxed on timber export in Russia, that could lead to greater demand from Europe, South America and the US.

Timo Jaatinen, the Director of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, said that they must keep control of the forestry industry from a domestic point of view. “The forest industry’s products count among Finland’s most significant export articles and they are central to the maintenance of national prosperity,” he stated.

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, said that encouraging investment in sustainable forestry management is important for the future of the industry around the world. “Putting money into sustainable forestry projects in countries like Costa Rica and Brazil, help to ensure that the industry can provide a living for generations to come.

“It also helps to protect native forests through the growth on plantation trees for felling and export, while native forests can remain unscathed.”

FRA support projects such as Greenwood Management‘s plantation project in Brazil that grows teak, eucalyptus and other non-native species for the production of timber and charcoal. Charcoal is in high demand in the Brazilian steel industry, which is expanding in preparation for the World Cup and the Olympics later this decade.

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Media Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Tel: (206) 316 8394
E-Mail: info@forestry-research.com
Web: http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

Huffington Post Blog advocates Impact investment says AAA

February 23, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Alternative investment advocacy group AAA says that a recent blog in the Huffington Post offers a great endorsement of impact investing.

Boston, MA, February 23, 2012 – Alternative investment advocacy group, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), says that a recent blog in the Huffington Post offers a great endorsement of impact investing.

It explains how impact investment funds have an ethos of “doing good while doing well”, which highlights the fact that making profits and choosing ethical investments are not mutually exclusive.

The Huffington post blog explains that impact investing combines investment in projects that contribute to social and environmental good, and investing for maximum risk-adjusted returns. Although this is a somewhat unusual combination, it often works and is increasing in popularity among those who want to make a difference while making money.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said, “It’s really quite unbelievable that this kind of investment option is only just taking off.

“The model is quite simple, those with money to invest help those without money to make money by providing funding and the profits are then shared.”

Examples include housing projects, forestry projects, small loans for small businesses and farm investments. Most of these funds are setup in developing countries and most investors come from developed countries.

The level of return on impact investment funds differs dramatically but many investors put the social impact of a fund ahead of financial gains, in a refreshing turnaround to the norm.

“It’s not just small-time investors that are getting into impact investing,” said Mr Johnson. “Many of the world’s richest philanthropists are ploughing their money into socially and environmentally responsible projects.” An example is the $3 billion Rockerfeller Foundation. Bill Clinton is also a keen advocate of impact investment.

AAA supports ethical investment in many different forms. It advocates investing in environmentally friendly projects, such as sustainable forestry, through schemes like the teak, eucalyptus and other non-native tree plantations run by Greenwood Management in Brazil. “These projects offer a tangible option for smaller-scale investor,” added Johnson.

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

Forest Carbon Partners funding scheme wins support of FRA

February 17, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

News of the new Forest Carbon Partners forestry investment scheme from New Forests Inc. has won the support of FRA, which analyses various forms of forestry investment project.

Seattle, United States, February 17, 2012 — News of the new Forest Carbon Partners forestry investment scheme from New Forests Inc. has won the support of Forestry Research Associates (FRA), which analyses various forms of forestry investment project.

Forest Carbon Partners is an investment vehicle that offers funding for carbon offsetting projects in California. The fund helps to manage these projects and deliver revenue to landowners.

Among the first projects it is involved with is a scheme to develop forestry carbon offsets over 11,000 acres in the West of the US. The scheme sees it partner with a Native American tribe and a family who own the forest in the area.

The project is intended to help finance a total of 100,000 acres of forestry carbon offset schemes, which will generate returns for land owners, as well as increasing natural habitats and absorbing large qualities of CO2.

FRA is a research and analysis consultancy that specialises in forestry investment projects. It supports investment projects in developing countries, as well as carbon offsetting schemes all over the world.

The Forest Carbon Partner is one such project, and its managing director, David Brand commented: “As the California carbon market comes online, New Forests believes that forest carbon projects will become a critical source of offset supply.

“Forest Carbon Partners brings together a sophisticated understanding of both forestry and carbon markets to meet the demand for high-quality carbon credits that ensure important co-benefits for family forest landowners and the environment.”

FRA also supports schemes such as the renewable plantations run by Greenwood Management in Brazil and Canada. These projects help to reduce the reliance on natural forests by providing alternative non-native forests, which are managed in a sustainable way.

FRA’s Peter Collins, said, “We welcome the New Forests project as it will help to boost carbon sequestration in one of the world’s most high impact regions, in terms of CO2 emissions.”

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Media Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Tel: (206) 316 8394
E-Mail: info@forestry-research.com
Web: http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

AAA: Billionaire’s decision to invest in forestry shows ethical approach

February 14, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

A billionaire investor has this week opted to put much of his cash in forestry investments, in a move that has been welcomed by alternative and ethical investment advocates, AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, February 14, 2012 — A billionaire investor has this week opted to put much of his cash in forestry investments, in a move that has been welcomed by alternative and ethical investment advocates, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

New Zealand-born and Singapore-based billionaire, Richard Chandler has decided to invest some $150 million into Tasmanian timber group Gunns, which means that he is now one of the their largest shareholders. The investment is intended to be used by the firm to finish the development of its long-awaited Bell Bay Pulp Mill. Chandler is expected to want to start influencing the business and driving growth.

Chandler claims that having an ethical influence on firms is part of the responsibility that comes with investing in them. He said, “Responsible investors will engage corporate governance issues where they encounter them, as an intrinsic and necessary component of professional investment management.”

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, claims Chandler is the latest in a line of influential investors to opt for an ethical approach to investing. Mr Johnson said, Investing in forestry can be an exceptionally ethical approach to making money as sustainable forestry helps communities to prosper while maintaining habitats for wildlife and adding to carbon absorption.”

Adding to the amount of forested land in a country is one of the best and most cost-effective ways of reducing carbon emissions thanks to the carbon sequestration characteristics of trees, claims AAA.

AAA supports forestry plantation investments, such as the one run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, which enables investors to buy up sections of sustainably-operated plantation land, which provide forestry products including charcoal for the steel industry.

Timber prices are expected to increase in the coming years as demand from Europe and emerging economies like China and India starts to exceed supply. Already, China is becoming one of the world’s major importers of timber and this trend is set to continue as its economy grows further.

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

AAA claims PPF timberland panel shows alternatives are attractive

February 13, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

In a move that further underlines the attractiveness of forestry investments, according to AAA, the Pension Protection Fund is establishing a dedicated panel for forestry and agricultural investments.

Boston, MA, USA, February 13, 2012 — In a move that further underlines the attractiveness of forestry investments, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), the Pension Protection Fund is establishing a dedicated panel for forestry and agricultural investments.

The fund, which is worth well over $10 billion, has issued tenders for managers to sit on the panel, which will be dedicated to making decisions about growing and selling timber and investing in agricultural land.

This is just the latest in a line of panels that have been set up to concentrate on investing in alternative asset classes, which are becoming much more attractive as the stock market remains volatile.

AAA is a supporter of timber investment and particularly investment into sustainable plantation projects in developing countries. Its analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, explained, “As well as providing investors with the peace of mind that only comes with making ethical investment choices, investing in timberland can be extremely lucrative.”

Average returns from forestry investments have easily exceeded returns from equities in the past decade or so. In addition, anyone investing in timber has the added benefit of being able to sit on their investment and watch it grow if the market is not good when it’s time to sell.

“If timber prices are low when an investor’s timber stock reaches maturity, they can simply hold onto it for as long as they wish, in order to sell it when prices recover,” added Mr Johnson.

“In the meantime,” he continued, “their trees will grow by a further eight per cent per year, adding to the value of the timber.”

Most plantation schemes, like that run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, for example, grow non-native, fast-growing species such as acacia, eucalyptus and teak, that are popular for specific purposes such as the manufacture of charcoal or in the construction of homes or for furniture making.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

FRA supports Congo’s call for Indian forestry investment

February 7, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

The Republic of Congo’s decision to encourage Indian private companies to invest in its forestry industry has been welcomed by FRA.

Seattle, United States, February 07, 2012 — The Republic of Congo’s decision to encourage Indian private companies to invest in its forestry industry has been welcomed by Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

FRA welcomed the news that Henri Djombo, the Forestry and Environment Minister in the Congo, spoke out in favour of Congolese forestry investment at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit.

Speaking to the Economic Times in India, Djombo said, “We have a big timber industry and would want Indian private companies to come and invest in the our timber companies.”

He also took the opportunity to call for more funding from developed nations to help the Congo and other developing nations to manage their forests sustainably. He explained, “There is a financial and climate injustice being done to us. We are making so much efforts for forest management compared to the Amazon forest in Brazil or rainforest in Indonesia but compensation is less.”

FRA, a research and analysis consultancy specialising in sustainable forestry and investment, said that Djombo’s views highlight how important funding in the form of forestry investment is. “Attracting foreign investment into the forestry industry in developing countries is vital to ensure that those working in the industry can benefit form their forests being managed sustainably,” claimed FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins.

FRA believes that developing countries need to be compensated for forestry management in order to highlight the fact that forests can be worth more standing than as timber. This is due to importance of living forests for the absorption of carbon dioxide.

In addition, FRA said that money can be made for investors, through schemes like those run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, where investors buy up sustainable plantation land and sell the timber when the trees have reached maturity. This schemes also offer an alternative to native timbers for the production of charcoal.

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Media Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Tel: (206) 316 8394
E-Mail: info@forestry-research.com
Web: http://www.forestry-research.com