IN THE PRESS... THE GUARDIAN ETHICAL AND GREEN INNOVATIONS. JANUARY 2012

The Guardian. Green & Ethical Innovations. January 2012

Ethical Forestry offers substantial returns, investor security and a feel good factor.

In these unprecedented times, when traditional forms of investing are proving unreliable, it’s reassuring to know that some investments, such as sustainable forestry, are flourishing.

Sustainable forestry investments ultimately produce valuable timber, a commodity constantly in demand and used globally on a daily basis as a building material, for paper manufacture and as a fuel source.

The demand for timber is projected to rise in-line with the global population thus implying a 55% increase by 2050 (source: United Nations). Basic economics tells us that this growing demand combined with a diminishing supply will only make this commodity rise exponentially in value.

Forestry has a proven track record producing consistent growth for investors because of a number of simple factors. The first being biological growth. As trees grow they become inherently more valuable. Secondly, the value of timber has historically risen above global inflation and has been the only asset class in existence that has risen in three out of the four market collapses of the 20th century. Combine these two factors with the rising global demand and it’s understandable why forestry is regarded as ‘the near perfect asset’.

As well as the environmental benefits and feel good factor that forestry offers, such as carbon sequestration (the process of absorbing Co2 and sealing it within trees) and the indirect protection of the natural rainforests by offering an alternative supply chain, they also offer substantial returns.

Ethical Forestry, the UK’s leading forestry investment provider, projects returns of £104,189 over 12 years from an initial investment of £18,000. The investment pays out in regular intervals. In year 4 the projected return is £5,640, year 8 £15,595, year 10 £20,518 and year 12 £62,436. In simple terms, you purchase a new tree for £30 and over the course of the investment they are sold at an average price of £173.65.

They also offer a high return, 24-year investment for pension plans. With a shocking 56% of couples aged over 40 having not worked out how much money they will need to live on in retirement - forestry can offer them a valid way of not ‘sleep walking into retirement’.

Ethical Forestry’s investments are proving popular with the new wave of savvy, green investors, who are adding forestry to their pension funds, savings plans and family trusts.

Investing in forestry is a relatively simple process. You can invest directly for a savings plan or family trust fund or, in the case of your personal pension, via a SIPP (Self Invested Personal Pension). Your IFA can advise you on how to invest as many SIPP trustees have approved Ethical Forestry, or you can do it yourself, as some pension trustees offer a ‘self service’ approach. For investors that require a personal approach, Ethical Forestry offer a bespoke investment service, so you can create a plan that suits you.

Ethical Forestry pride themselves on the fact they own all of their plantations outright and have their professional forestry engineers living on-site caring for investors trees 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In addition, they have created their Forestry Easement Trust, that buys and protects rainforest on and adjacent to their land, which helps preserve wildlife that can be so easily lost.

As the tumultuous stock market continues to take investors money for a roller coaster of a ride, thankfully new stable alternatives are shining through, offering better investments to forward thinkers in an ever-changing world.

If you would like more information on forestry investments, please contact Ethical Forestry on 0800 075 30 10 or visit their website at www.ethicalforestry.com