UTAM has signed an investor statement expressing deep concern about the escalating crisis of deforestation and fires in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and Bolivia. In total, 230 investors – representing approximately US$16.2 trillion in assets under management – have become signatories.

The statement is part of the Investor Initiative for Sustainable Forests (IISF). The IISF, a working group of Ceres’ Investor Network and a joint collaboration with the Principles for Responsible Investment, aims to raise awareness of deforestation’s potential financial risks and its environmental and social impacts. The IISF also fosters investor engagement with companies to eliminate deforestation from company supply chains.

WHY ARE WE SUPPORTING THIS INVESTOR STATEMENT?

Sustainable land management helps to preserve biodiversity, enhance food security and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest and one of the planet’s most biodiverse places. It also plays a critical role in mitigating the effects of climate change and pollution. Deforestation and uncontrolled fires in the Amazon could bring the ecosystem dangerously close to a tipping point beyond which it cannot maintain itself, and this poses both ecological and economic risks.

WHAT ARE WE CALLING ON COMPANIES TO DO?

Along with our fellow signatories, UTAM views deforestation and its associated environmental impacts as systemic risks to our portfolios. The reduction of deforestation is a key solution to managing these risks and contributing to sustainable financial markets in the longer term.

We therefore urgently request companies to redouble their efforts and demonstrate clear
commitment to eliminating deforestation within their operations and supply chains, including by:

  1. Publicly disclosing and implementing a commodity-specific no deforestation policy with
    quantifiable, time-bound commitments covering the entire supply chain and sourcing
    geographies.
  2. Assessing operations and supply chains for deforestation risk and reduce this risk to the
    lowest possible level, disclosing this information to the public.
  3. Establishing a transparent monitoring and verification system for supplier compliance
    with the company’s no deforestation policy.
  4. Reporting annually on deforestation risk exposure and management, including progress
    towards the company’s no deforestation policy.

Read the full statement.