Investing in natural capital

As the world’s largest investment manager of natural capital assets,¹ we’re uniquely placed to recognize existing opportunities, emerging themes, and provide long-term value for our stakeholders while supporting a positive trajectory for the global economy.

Natural capital can be thought of as the Earth’s balance sheet, comprising the planet’s stock of natural resources and ecosystems that provide benefits to humans and other living things—and the vital services those stocks provide. 

1 IPE research, as of January 29, 2024. Ranking is based on total natural capital assets under management (AUM), which include forestry/timberland and agriculture/farmland AUM. Firms were asked to provide AUM and the as of dates vary from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023.

Why it’s time to fully embrace natural capital

Today, as awareness of the social and environmental benefits of natural capital grows, investors are increasingly required to disclose and report on the climate and nature-related impact of their portfolios. Yet there remains significant underinvestment in natural capital assets.

Learn more about investing in the power of nature

Natural capital investment strategies have long been appreciated by investors for their ability to provide sources of diversification, long-term income, and inflation protection. Their robust long-term fundamentals are predicated on fulfilling basic human needs—food, feed, fuel, fiber, shelter, and essential services—all of which we can expect to grow in line with population and income growth.

Bridging the gap

The natural capital gap—a quantitative indicator of how much natural capital funding would need to increase to meet associated UN Sustainable Development Goals—is estimated between $31.9 trillion and $86.9 trillion.2

Investing in natural capital means investing in people

The profound link between nature’s health and our own well-being means investments in natural capital can provide for the needs of a growing population.

The global population is projected to increase to 9 to 10 billion by 2050

To feed a population of that size, we must grow more food more efficiently. Our integrated property management ensures that our commitment to sustainability is carried through our agricultural operations.

Global demand for timber is projected to increase fourfold by 2050

We leverage our scope and scale to tailor sustainable solutions with objectives across the spectrum of impact from traditional commercial timberland operations to prioritizing carbon sequestration. 

Renewable energy is critical to society’s transition to cleaner energy

Infrastructure continues to serve as a foundation for the essential public services necessary to support sustainable socioeconomic activity, and we work with partners to assess nature-related factors across water, energy, and transport investments. 

Increased demand for buildings supporting carbon and biodiversity goals

A growing population requires housing and healthy, resilient buildings. We’ve now achieved 82% global green building certificationacross our global real estate portfolio to enhance climate resilience and long-term value. 

Private equity and credit businesses explore potential new opportunities 

We integrate nature-related considerations into our ESG approach and anticipate the opportunity to invest in natural capital-related businesses and strategies as they become increasingly attractive to investors.

3 Rating is as of December 31, 2021. Based on square footage or building size of the gross floor area (GFA) of properties in the global portfolio. Totals from different certification standards do not sum, as properties with multiple certifications are only counted once. Certifications are provided by LEED, ENERGY STAR Certification, BOMA BEST, GBCA Green Star, BCA Green Mark, NABERS, CASBEE, BOMA360, and Fitwel.

How carbon markets bolster timberland investing

Thomas Sarno, global head of timberland investing, believes that now is an ideal time to invest in the asset class.

Learn more

Empowering investors for a better tomorrow

Our world-class capabilities can provide stable yields and diversification to enhance value and portfolio performance while enabling environmental benefits, nourishing our communities, and empowering our people.

Timberland

We provide sustainable investment solutions tailored to drive financial, ecological, and social value through traditional timber management augmented by value-added strategies such as recreation and renewable energy leases as well as conservation carbon projects.

Learn more

Agriculture

We provide investment solutions across the agriculture value chain while helping to meet increasing global demand for nutritious food and enhancing efficiency and profitability through sustainable agricultural practices.

Learn more

Infrastructure

We provide investment solutions in essential services, including green infrastructure, renewables, and clean energy.

Learn more

Real estate

We provide investment solutions that minimize environmental impact, support health and wellness, and prioritize climate action.

Learn more

Private equity and credit

We provide private equity and credit investment solutions that minimize investment risk and contribute to long-term sustainable returns.

Learn more

We’re committed to making a positive impact

We believe the power of investing in natural capital comes when these investments are used to address global challenges such as climate change, nature loss, and inequality. As a steward of global natural capital assets, we understand the importance of sustainability and its impact on long-term value for our clients, the environment, society, and the global economy.

Related viewpoints and webinars 

Regenerative agriculture: definition, implementation, and impact

Feeding a growing population in a world of increasingly scarce natural resources will require sustainable solutions, which is where regenerative agriculture could play a critical role.
Read more

The continuing evolution of investment stewardship

The assignment of new client mandates is increasingly at stake in discussions of stewardship. We explore facets of asset owner urgency around stewardship and sustainability performance.
Read more

Expanding the efficient frontier with natural capital investments

The combination of investment characteristics associated with institutional investment in timberland and agriculture offers a compelling rationale for their inclusion in larger multi-asset portfolios, and ultimately allows for the expansion of the efficient frontier, as determined by traditional mean-variance portfolio optimization.
Read more

Latest news

April 3, 2024

Manulife Investment Management Completes Acquisition of CQS

Read more

February 6, 2024

Manulife Investment Management Names Anne Valentine Andrews as Global Head of Private Markets

Read more
January 18, 2024

Manulife Investment Management Publishes Inaugural TNFD Aligned Nature-related Disclosure for Timberland and Agriculture

Read more
July 3, 2023

Manulife Investment Management announces minority partnership with Parreira Almond Holding Company, LLC

Read more

Contact us

Jennifer Lundmark

Senior Managing Director, Head of Distribution, North America

617-572-5104

jlundmark@manulife.com 

Marco Zanuso

Senior Managing Director, Head of Distribution, EMEA

+44 7760-141413

Marco_Zanuso@manulife.com

Peter Kim

Senior Managing Director, Head of Institutional Business, APAC

+852  62829685

Peter_TW_Kim@manulifeam.com

Makiko Fujimura

Head of Institutional Sales, Japan

Makiko_Fujimura@manulifeam.com

Brian Torrisi, CAIA

Global Head of Consultant Relations

617-416-2781

btorrisi@manulifeam.com

3554978