Investing and Financing Outcomes in Regional Ecosystems and Sustainable Trade (I-FOREST)
In January 2026, the Fair Finance Asia (FFA) network began implementing Investing and Financing Outcomes in Regional Ecosystems and Sustainable Trade (I-FOREST) as part of Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme Phase 2 (FGMC2), the flagship forest governance programme of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
What is I-FOREST?
I-FOREST addresses the overseas deforestation footprint of Asian countries that are as major importers of forest-risk commodities from tropical forest countries, focusing on the preservation and protection of forest lands. It examines the roles of finance and financial institutions, as well as trade, in driving cross-border deforestation and unsustainable forest use. The expected outcome is that financial institutions in Asian countries adopt and implement policies aligned with regulatory standards that incentivize sustainable, gender-responsive and socially responsible forest governance reforms.
What impact does I-FOREST aim to achieve?
I-FOREST aims to transform forest land governance in Asia by strengthening fair and sustainable investment and trade arrangements and reduced risk for public and private forest investments and supply chains.
Goals
- Strengthen the evidence base on financial flows linked to cross-border deforestation.
- Support financial institutions to adopt sustainable and gender-responsive policies.
- Engage regulators to advance inclusive and responsible finance frameworks.
- Build technical capacity among key stakeholders across Asia.
- Increase public awareness of the social and environmental impacts of deforestation-linked finance.
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