High Forest Investment

High Integrity Forest Investment (HIFOR) establishes an innovative financial mechanism designed to channel long-term capital towards the conservation of high-integrity tropical forests. This scalable approach utilizes nature-based financial instruments, including HIFOR units and bonds, to quantify and monetize the ecological value of these vital ecosystems, thereby creating a market for forest preservation. The initiative provides a structured framework for investors to directly support forest conservation efforts while contributing to global climate change mitigation.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) launched the High Integrity Forest Investment Initiative to bridge the significant funding gap for tropical forest conservation. Their insight recognized the critical need for a new generation of outcome-based finance solutions, moving beyond traditional philanthropic models to engage market-driven investment. Dr. Ashley Camhi played a key role in developing and leading the demand-side work for this pioneering initiative, building on WCS's extensive experience in conservation.

HIFOR targets investors seeking impactful environmental assets that offer measurable conservation outcomes and climate benefits. The initiative’s vision is to unlock substantial private sector finance for forest protection, ensuring the long-term health and carbon sequestration capacity of critical tropical forest regions. By creating a transparent and verifiable investment product, HIFOR aims to fundamentally alter how forest conservation is funded and sustained globally.