Saving Scotland’s rainforest with natural capital finance
The Saving Scotland’s Rainforest with Natural Capital Finance project scoped out how natural capital finance could be funnelled into rainforest restoration projects in a way that has positive benefits climate, nature and people.
The project, led by Argyll Countryside Trust on behalf of ASR, involved Palladium, Sylvestris Land Management and financial advisors at Safferys to develop a scalable business model and governance structure to guide investment in rainforest restoration.
The result is a flagship £52m project in Argyll ready to proceed, combining government grants with private investment to create around 2,800 hectares of new native woodland, restore existing rainforest through invasive species control and deer management, and deliver community benefits. Validated under the Woodland Carbon Code, the project will generate approximately 566,000 high integrity carbon credits over 40 years. You can read the final report here.
Alongside this, the project produced a set of Project Standards to provide a clear benchmark for project developers and assure financial partners that their investment supports high-integrity, evidence-based projects. The project also produced an Integrity Charter to ensure that investors and buyers of ecosystem services are ethically, environmentally, and socially aligned with rainforest restoration.
We are grateful to FIRNS (Facility for Investment Ready Nature Scotland) for fully funding this work.
We’re looking for investors and buyers of ecosystem services to support this work. If you would like to discuss this project with us, please get in touch:
William Hawes
ASR Natural Capital Finance Advisor
Email: william@sylvestris.uk
More information:
For investors:
We are seeking a finance partner to help us unlock investment needed to scale up rainforest restoration and climate impact in western Scotland.
For carbon buyers:
Invest in a globally rare rainforest, secure high-integrity carbon credits, and deliver measurable impact for climate, nature and communities.
