New Forests Launches Australia and New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund

Sydney headquartered New Forests, a A$10 billion global investment manager of nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies, has launched the Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund (ANZLAFF) for institutional investors, with the aim of raising A$600 million over the next two to three years.

ANZLAFF will seek to provide investment exposure to integrated forest, land and agriculture markets in Australia and New Zealand and will target investments into core forestry plantations in selected investment regions, alongside processing and logistics companies, with some exposure to primary agriculture commodities.

Additionally, the fund will aim to enhance climate mitigation through carbon sequestration and emissions reduction opportunities.

ANZLAFF is New Forests’ fourth round Australia and New Zealand landscapes and forestry strategy, building on the experience of previous strategies which collectively manage A$4.67 billion.

Underpinning New Forests’ investment approach is its Responsible Investment Framework which seeks to ensure investments are aligned with the interests of the communities New Forests invests in and with the needs of clients.

Some of these initiatives include delivering certified sustainable forestry; sustainable agriculture; increased natural climate solutions by reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon removals; supporting the bioeconomy where renewable wood fibre replaces fossil-based materials; and reconciliation action plans.

Commenting on the fund launch Jo Saleeba, Head of Sustainability at New Forests said: “Beyond the sustainable management of assets, ANZLAFF is designed to provide investors with an opportunity to invest in natural climate solutions at scale, not only in the monetisation of carbon sequestration opportunities but also in the emerging circular bioeconomy. Wood fibre is projected over time to replace many higher carbon products currently created from petrochemical plastic, steel and concrete.”

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