The issues of climate change mitigation and adaptation were addressed in RISI Timberland Investment Conference held in London on 7-9 May 2019. There seems to be a wide consensus that tree planting is one of the most cost efficient ways to mitigate climate change. Furthermore, job opportunities created in connection to afforestation and forestry sector in general can help rural communities to adapt to climate change – an important view to consider when talking about Africa in particular.

In Africa (excluding RSA), only some 20 million new trees are planted annually compared to Finland with 200 million trees being planted every year – i.e. 10 times more in a country with a size of only some 1% of the land area in Africa.

Experiences, working methods and business models from countries with significant track and skillsets in afforestation should be taken into consideration when formulating forestry policy, timberland investments and large scale afforestation in emerging countries like in Africa, a continent with huge potential comparable to Latin America.

For further information, please contact Petteri Seppänen, tel. +358 40 7282819