This fact is increasingly calling investors to action, as well as:
- Regulatory developments: Regulators are strengthening their demands for traceability, and companies run the risk of fines and reputational damage if they do not comply.
- Changing consumer preferences: Conscious consumption is on the rise, with consumers increasingly factoring sustainability into their purchasing decisions.1
- Heightened visibility: Improvements in data collection and satellite technology have enabled better detection of deforestation “hotspots” to focus attention on.
- Global standard-setting: The Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework2 in 2022 and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) guidance in 20233 have provided industry-wide blueprints for addressing impacts and dependencies on nature.
Figure 1: Commodities driving tropical deforestation
Federated Hermes Limited signed the financial sector commitment to eliminate commodity-driven deforestation in 2021 at COP26 in Glasgow, alongside over 30 financial institutions representing a total of US$ 8.7tn. Engagement will be a key tool for achieving this, both directly and through collaborative engagement initiatives such as the Finance Sector Deforestation Action (FSDA).
We have stepped up our engagement focus on deforestation with companies held in our SDG Engagement High Yield Credit Strategy, with companies in high-risk sectors already showing some promising signs.
While governments certainly have a role to play to halt deforestation, the private sector has to take action to prevent irreversible damage to the earth’s ecosystems.
Pulp & paper
Food retail
Figure 2: Deforestation and conversion-free commitments across 10 major global supermarket groups, by commodity
Banks
Figure 3: Deforestation commitments across 15 global banks, by commodity
SDG Engagement High Yield Credit, Annual Report 2023
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The above does not represent all of the securities held in the portfolio and it should not be assumed that the above securities were or will be profitable. This document does not constitute a solicitation or offer to any person to buy or sell any related securities or financial instruments.
1 ‘Consumers care about sustainability – and back it up with their wallets,’ published by McKinsey & Company in 2023.
2 The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework consists of a set of global targets to be achieved by 2030 and beyond to safeguard and sustainably use biodiversity.
3 The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) is a market-led, science-based, and government-backed initiative providing organizations with the tools to act on evolving nature-related issues.
4‘Drivers of Deforestation, published by Our World in Data in 2021, citing Florence Pendrill et al 2019.
5 ‘Pulp and Paper’, published by WWF in 2024.
6 ‘Food companies under pressure to source deforestation-free products under new EU law’, published by ING Think in 2023.
7 ‘Statement on nature-related financial risks’, published by the Network for Greening the Financial System in 2022.
