Stockholm (NordSIP) – A coalition of investors managing substantial assets has issued the Belém Investor Statement on Rainforests, urging governments to implement strong policies to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. The statement underscores the increasing concern among investors about the financial risks posed by tropical deforestation and nature loss.
The investors highlight that exposure to commodities produced on deforested land, such as beef, soy, palm oil, timber, and critical transition minerals, creates significant vulnerabilities across global investment and lending portfolios. They point to emerging legislation like the EU Deforestation Regulation as a sign that urgent action is needed to address the gaps where voluntary commitments have fallen short.
The statement emphasizes that protecting forests is not only an ecological imperative but also a financial one. Forests underpin long-term investments and macroeconomic stability in both producer and consumer countries. The investors express their readiness to align capital with a future where tropical forests and ecosystems thrive, in line with the Paris Agreement’s goals, but stress that this alignment requires clear policy signals, enforceable laws, and international cooperation.
The investors call on governments in tropical rainforest countries and those importing forest-risk commodities to implement strong policies, regulations, and financial mechanisms to eliminate commodity-driven deforestation. They specifically ask governments to collaborate for deforestation-free trade, strengthen transparency and disclosure requirements, enact and enforce regulations that prevent deforestation, integrate forest conservation into national strategies, and align public finance with nature goals.
The investors also commit to playing an active role in addressing commodity-driven deforestation by assessing and managing the risks in their investment and lending activities, strengthening stewardship practices, disclosing their exposure to deforestation-related risks, and supporting enabling policy frameworks. Signatories to the statement include AP2, DNB Asset Management, East Capital Group, Handelsbanken Fonder, KLP, PBU – Pædagogernes Pension, Sampension Administrationsselskab, SEB Asset Management. Storebrand Asset Management, Swedbank Robur, Swedbank Robur Fonder AB and Velliv. The initiative is coordinated by AIGCC, Ceres, Global Canopy, and Rainforest Foundation Norway.
