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For Institutional Investors in the US
May 19, 2022
Investment Viewpoints Environmental Social Governance (ESG)

Deforestation: Seeing the Wood for the Trees

  • Bhaskar Sastry, CFA
    Bhaskar Sastry, CFA
    ESG Content Manager
  • Adrienn Sarandi
    Adrienn Sarandi
    Head of ESG Strategy & Development

Globally, the rate of deforestation is unprecedented, and the consequent impacts pose a multitude of threats that investors will need to evaluate. This white paper and short-form read below outline key investment considerations linked to the halting and reversal of unsustainable deforestation.

Key takeaways

  • Trees provide a multitude of services, including protecting us from climate change and biodiversity loss, yet the rate of deforestation is unprecedented
  • Governments are taking firm action to address deforestation through agreements at COP26, regulation and strengthening carbon markets
  • Investors have a unique role and responsibility to contribute to addressing deforestation.
pdf-promo-deforestation-seeing-the-wood-for-the-trees
Read the full Whitepaper here

This series of ESG Primers examine key sustainability challenges that humanity is facing and will continue to face in coming decades. The first primer in the series focussed on biodiversity loss and we now concentrate on deforestation.

For the short-form version of this whitepaper, please read below.

We are witnessing the relentless destruction of one of Earth’s most precious assets – its trees. Humanity’s growing need for certain products, notably beef, soy and palm oil, threaten to strip our forests away with catastrophic consequences.

The rate of global deforestation has multiplied in recent decades. An area the size of India and Nigeria has been lost through deforestation since 1990 (UN, 2021).

The map below shows areas of the world most impacted by deforestation:

Figure 1: Where is deforestation happening?

Deforestation_Map_990px

Source: WWF (2015)
Shading is for illustrative purposes only

The vast majority (95%) of deforestation today occurs in countries in the tropics, notably in South America and South-East Asia. However, research shows that demand from developed countries for beef, soy (the majority of which is fed to cows), palm oil and timber products, including paper, drives much of the world’s deforestation1.

Why should we care?

Figure 2: Multiple benefits of trees and green infrastructure

3062_BenefitsTrees_990px

Source: UN Biodiversity / Greenpeace, February 2022

Deforestation has serious economic implications at local and global levels as it:

  • Exacerbates climate change and detracts from climate mitigation efforts. The WWF estimates that deforestation and forest degradation account for approximately 15% of global carbon emissions1 – more than the combined emissions from all the cars, trucks, planes and ships globally2.
  • Destroys animal and plant habitats and degrades soil, reducing the number and variety of local species
  • Means we miss out on climate adaptation. Tree foliage provides a valuable canopy, evaporation from the leaves cools the underlying area and tree roots protect against droughts by storing groundwater.
  • Increases the likelihood of the emergence of diseases as with COVID-19.
deforestation_990px

Marking a line in the soil

COP26 in November 2021 represented a much-needed step forward in global efforts to tackle deforestation. Over 140 countries representing 90% of the world’s forests signed the ‘Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use’, to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.

Agreements at COP26 are also expected to strengthen the transparency, reliability and liquidity of voluntary carbon markets – a key lever to tackle deforestation and climate change. This should result in higher-quality credits, greater demand for offsets as companies aim to meet net zero goals and higher prices of carbon offsets.

Regulators are also starting to take firm action on deforestation risks. The European Commission has released plans to ban imports and exports of certain commodities and products derived from forests unless they can be shown to be "deforestation-free" and produced in accordance with applicable laws. The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulations (SFDR) and EU Taxonomy will also focus on reporting on exposures to and management of deforestation and biodiversity loss for in-scope investors.

The challenge is that disclosures on deforestation and biodiversity-related issues is lacking, but the work of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) is expected to improve on this.

Companies have a responsibility to understand and disclose deforestation risks in their operations and supply chains. This includes agricultural companies and companies that rely on paper products and timber. Consumers can push for change in their dietary choices by eating less beef that comes from areas of unsustainable deforestation, and buying responsibly sourced meat, palm oil and soy.

cattle_990px

Investor considerations

Deforestation is a financially material ESG risk that investors should factor into equity and corporate credit analysis. Understanding where forest loss is greatest and what is driving it allows investors to better understand the products, companies, industries and countries with the greatest impact on – and exposure to – deforestation.

Food production and the agriculture sector have the most impact on deforestation, particularly through the production of beef, soy and palm oil. Analysing risks in these companies’ operations and supply chains is essential to determining the attractiveness and creditworthiness of an investment opportunity.

Effective investor engagement is critical to ensure such companies consider their dependence and impact on deforestation. Market-leading companies disclose relevant risks and have strategies in place to evidence how they intend to mitigate or offset their impact on nature. However, the volume and quality of deforestation-related disclosures are still in their infancy. Pushing for better disclosures in natural capital-related risks and opportunities is vital and should urgently follow climate change-related disclosures.

Investors should accept that deforestation could have a direct impact on the long-term value of their portfolios. Equally, we believe investors have a unique opportunity to help preserve and rebuild forests through their capital allocation decisions and active ownership practices. When governments, regulators, companies, consumers and investors prioritise the importance of nature, systemic change can happen.

1 ‘Deforestation displaced: trade in forest-risk commodities and the prospects for a global forest transition’ (Pendrill et al., 2019)
2 Deforestation and forest degradation’ (WWF, 2022)
3 Deforestation and climate change’ (The World Counts, 2020)

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The opinions and views expressed are as of the date published and are subject to change. They are for information purposes only and should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, investment strategy or market sector. No forecasts can be guaranteed. Opinions and examples are meant as an illustration of broader themes, are not an indication of trading intent and may not reflect the views of others in the organization. It is not intended to indicate or imply that any illustration/example mentioned is now or was ever held in any portfolio. Janus Henderson Group plc through its subsidiaries may manage investment products with a financial interest in securities mentioned herein and any comments should not be construed as a reflection on the past or future profitability. There is no guarantee that the information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, nor are there any warranties with regards to the results obtained from its use. Past performance does not predict future returns. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal and fluctuation of value.
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