Geopolitics, Nature Markets, and the Future of Sustainable Forestry — with Ross Hampton

The ForestLink newsletter signupISFCToday, I’m joined by Ross Hampton, CEO of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC). In this conversation, Ross shares what he’s hearing from forest businesses and institutional capital as geopolitical volatility collides with the accelerating push toward a circular bioeconomy. We unpack why nature and climate are now inseparable on the global stage, what COP-level discussions are signaling for forestry, and why “a thousand flowers blooming” in biodiversity schemes is hindering a scalable market. Ross also walks through ISFC’s work with TNFD and the Capitals Coalition to standardize ecosystem services measurement—laying groundwork for investable nature markets—and offers practical advice for governments who have an important enabling role, and investors who want to be early movers in natural capital.“Philanthropy plays a role, governments play a role, concessional finance plays a role — but these are minuscule compared to the scale of the challenge. The only real answer is the markets. It’s the $250 trillion sitting in pension, insurance and superannuation funds that is looking for a good return and increasingly wants to be nature and climate smart.” 1:29 – Ross’ background: politics/journalism → forestry, and why ISFC was created 2:35 – ISFC scope: member footprint, countries covered, and why scale matters 3:15 – Who ISFC represents: ownership structures across regions (investors, REITs, trading houses, integrated firms, quasi-government agencies) 4:47 – ISFC mission: accelerating a climate- and nature-smart circular bioeconomy 6:02 – The policy–finance disconnect: why capital isn’t linking to on-the-ground forestry needs 7:31 – The four funding streams (philanthropy, government, concessional finance, markets) and why markets are the only scalable answer 9:24 – Setting the stage: geopolitics and its impact on forest business/investment 10:09 – Global signals from recent events: COP momentum and “climate + nature” convergence 12:20 – The big project: working with TNFD + Capitals Coalition to measure ecosystem services 13:46 – “A gazillion initiatives” problem: why fragmentation prevents real markets 15:37 – What the project aims to prove: consistent measurement across global forest estates (7 ecosystem services) 17:09 – Timeline and milestones: outputs aimed for COP 17 (Armenia) and COP 31 (Turkey) 18:24 – Member sentiment (within limits): timberlands as a long-game, “stable island” asset class 22:08 – Whole-forest value vs “back to basics”: why the shift beyond timber isn’t slowing 23:41 – The “diamond in the rough”: externalising ecosystem services to unlock restoration at scale 26:02 – Policy fragmentation: why nature markets don’t scale when governments go it alone 27:08 – The hardest leap: paying for what used to be “free” (nature services) 28:51 – Shadow pricing: nature value already showing up in estate pricing above stump value 31:02 – Beyond measurement: enabling conditions governments must create (tech, incentives, stacking) 33:43 – A counterintuitive principle: don’t only pay for “uplift” (avoid penalising good stewards) 39:13 – Global South vs Global North: differing contexts, shared opportunity, where growth may happen 43:38 – Where policy conversations get stuck: finance vs industry vs forestry/agriculture vs environment 45:29 – Davos/WEF touchpoint: reception and momentum 45:42 – Crystal ball: what’s next, and key 2026 moments (Japan, Climate Week NYC, COPs) 48:10 – One actionable takeaway for new investors: lean into natural capital and nature markets early 49:39 – Where to learn more: ISFC website + natural capital reportFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.