Net Zero and Forests: From Investment to Impact

The Power of Forests for Planet & People

On October 13, 2022, 6:00-8:30pm ET, in New York, the National Forest Foundation (NFF) convened its second annual panel of corporate sustainability experts to frame how their companies’ environmental commitments and net zero pledges align with climate challenges. Panelists illuminated their companies’ pathways for long-term climate gains as part of putting ESG front and center, including the nexus to brand, consumers, stakeholders, and nature-based solutions.

This year’s panel advanced a dynamic national conversation about the role of forests and other natural strategies in mitigating climate change. In addition to an on-site audience, the panel’s presentation was livestreamed and can be viewed free with the link below. Panelists included:

  • Amy O’Brien, Global Head of Responsible Investing, Nuveen, a TIAA Company
  • Angela Coleman, Associate Chief, U.S. Forest Service
  • Wanda Young, Chief Marketing Officer, Ford Pro, Ford Motor Company

America’s leading companies have prioritized net zero as a core pillar of their ESG strategies. Nature-based solutions are increasingly factoring into the multiple strategies companies are pursuing to meet important and aggressive targets. Specifically, safeguarding healthy forests offers direct benefits.

With their capacity to absorb more than 14% of carbon emissions annually, healthy U.S. forests are an essential component in climate strategies. Major U.S. companies are achieving triple-bottom-line results by investing in these reliable carbon sinks. The National Forest System alone comprises 193 million acres of scientifically managed land vital to carbon sequestration.

Research confirms that forest carbon absorption can be increased by potentially as much as 20% per year through full reforestation (tree planting) of productive forestland. Similarly, improving forest health and resiliency provides major benefits in avoided carbon emissions (wildfires in the U.S. and Alaska contribute the equivalent of 4-6% of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel burning.) These twin strategies of reforestation and restoration offer powerful solutions. The panelists also spotlighted emerging regulatory considerations such as SEC proposed rule-making on climate disclosure. Metrics from the financial industries sector underscore growing interest in climate strategies among investors.

Watch the Program

Click here to watch the program.

Thank you to our panelists and all who attended!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contact

For additional information, please contact

Dayle Wallien, Conservation Partnerships Director, at 206.258.0388 or [email protected]