New Forests Unveils USD 300 Million Natural Capital Fund in Singapore
Deal News | Apr 01, 2025 | Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard's Private Funds team has provided advisory services to New Forests, an international natural capital fund manager, for the establishment of Future Forest Innovations Fund. This pioneering fund, with an initial size of USD 300 million, is domiciled in Singapore. In partnership with Oji Holdings, a global leader in paper and packaging, the fund aims to support the company's 2030 environmental goals. Created as a Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC), the fund is structured to welcome additional investments from institutional investors. Its focus is on sustainable forestry assets across multiple continents, with an annual target of net sequestration of 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030. The transaction emphasizes Addleshaw Goddard's expertise in advising on complex, cross-border natural capital strategies, a growing interest for investors. Jan Gruter, head of the UK Private Funds team at Addleshaw Goddard, expressed pride in supporting this initiative that underscores New Forests' two decades of experience in sustainable forestry fund management.
Sectors
- Sustainable Investment
- Forestry & Environmental Services
- Legal Advisory Services
Geography
- Singapore – The fund is domiciled in Singapore and structured as a Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC).
- Southeast Asia – The fund will target sustainable forestry assets in Southeast Asia as part of its investment strategy.
- North America – Part of the geographical focus for the fund's investments in sustainable forestry assets.
- Latin America – Another region targeted by the fund for sustainable forestry investments.
- Africa – Included in the fund's investment destinations to promote sustainable forestry efforts.
- United Kingdom – Addleshaw Goddard, including its UK Private Funds team, played a significant role in advising the establishment of the fund.
Industry
- Sustainable Investment – The article discusses New Forests' establishment of a natural capital fund which focuses on sustainable forestry assets, highlighting its commitment to sustainable investment practices.
- Forestry & Environmental Services – The fund aims at sustainable forestry investments, significant in the context of environmental services and conservation efforts.
- Legal Advisory Services – Addleshaw Goddard's role in consulting for the establishment of the fund emphasizes the involvement of legal advisory services within the realm of investment fund management.
Financials
- USD 300 million – Initial size of the Future Forest Innovations Fund.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Forests | Target | Company | International natural capital fund manager involved in the establishment of the Future Forest Innovations Fund. |
| Addleshaw Goddard | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided advisory services for the establishment of the Future Forest Innovations Fund. |
| Oji Holdings | Partner | Company | A major paper and packaging manufacturer partnering with New Forests to launch the fund. |
| Jan Gruter | Head of the UK Private Funds Team | Person | Leading the advisory team at Addleshaw Goddard for this transaction. |
| Jagdip Gujral | Advisor | Person | Part of the Addleshaw Goddard team advising on the transaction. |
| Cecilia McKenzie | Advisor | Person | Member of the Addleshaw Goddard team providing advisory for the fund. |