Together with Treevive we will host a session during the annual Corporate Investments into Forests and Biodiversity summit, in London on October 5th, 2023. This event is a crucial gathering for corporations, financial institutions, project developers, and consultants, aiming to develop sustainable strategies for investments in forestry and biodiversity that contribute to a net-zero future. With approximately 150 participants, this two-day program promises to be full of insights and innovations in the nature-based investment landscape.
We will host a session that will shed light on how Treevive and Form International design and execute high-quality tropical forestry projects, with a particular focus on the carbon component. This session will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the key factors that define “high quality” in such projects, how these factors are practically secured, and the inherent trade-offs that are part of the process.
Key takeaways
During our session, attendees can expect to:
- Understand the core elements that distinguish a high-quality tropical forestry project, including the carbon aspect, and the practical steps taken to ensure their success.
- Explore one of our projects, offering a real-world case study to illustrate the principles discussed.
- Discover the nuanced decisions that must be considered when developing sustainable forestry projects that include local communities and economies.
- Participate in a panel discussion, providing opportunities to interact with industry experts and gain deeper insights.
Meet our speakers
- Michel Schuurman – Director Business Development at Treevive
Michel will be the moderator of the session. He is a Nature-Based Solutions and Circular Economy professional dedicated to the restoration and protection of tropical forest landscapes. As Director Business Development he’s responsible for creating a right fit between the specific impacts of the projects in Treevive’s portfolio and corporate buyers and investors. Michel has an extensive track record as sustainability professional, creating innovative business models and setting up (public-private) partnerships and networks for over 15 years. Since 2018 Michel chairs the REDD+ Business Initiative, a business-driven advocacy network for REDD+.
- Rik Sools – Technical Director and Investment Manager at Form International
Rik will elaborate on the Form Peru project that is being realized. He is a forest management professional with a master’s degree in Forest and Nature Conservation. As Technical Director at Form International he provides technical assistance to various clients, including investors, public and private sectors, and NGOs. In his role as Project Director for Form Peru, he oversees project investment structuring. Rik has 15+ years of experience in Forest Landscape Restoration and Sustainable Forestry Investments, including managing projects in Ghana with significant blended finance, including a $24 million senior debt facility from the African Development Bank.
- Cecilia Gutierrez – Social Impact Manager-Climate Smart Forestry at Conservation International
Cecilia will shed her light on the social elements of the Form Peru project. She is a Peruvian Forest Engineer with a master’s degree in social management. With 12 years of experience in sustainable environmental, agricultural, and forest projects across NGOs, the private sector, and government organizations, she’s a strong advocate for gender mainstreaming. In her previous role at Conservation International Peru, she focused on designing and implementing M&E systems and Gender Strategies. Cecilia, as Social Impact Manager, now advises forestry investments to align with CI’s social, gender, and human rights safeguards for impactful nature-based solutions.
- Tianhan Ji – Credit Officer and Senior Investment Associate at FMO – Dutch Development Bank
Tianhan Ji, will discuss how investors assess projects like Form Peru. She is an investment specialist in the Forestry team at FMO. With an MSc in Finance from the University of Groningen and a BBA in Finance from Hong Kong Baptist University, she has 7 years of experience structuring financings for agribusiness and forestry in developing countries. She has successfully contracted 18 agribusiness and forestry transactions totalling USD 338 million over the last years.
Our colleague Eveline Trines will also be in attendance at the event.
We hope to see you at the CIFB!
Please find more information about the program here.