The Global Fragrance Gold | Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Fireside Chat
Theme: “De-Risking Nature-Based Investments in the Philippines”
Session Objectives
- Address perceived and real risks in investing in nature-based solutions (like agarwood)
- Present proven mitigation strategies (technical, legal, financial)
- Inspire investor confidence through case studies and expert perspectives
- Promote public-private-academic partnerships as a foundation for resilience
Suggested Discussion Questions
1. Risk Landscape
- What are the top three risks investors face when entering the Agarwood or agroforestry space in the Philippines?
- Answers: Strategic Risks Landscape
2. Scientific & Operational Risk
- Can science help guarantee agarwood resin formation? What technologies are available to reduce failure rates in plantations?
- Answers: Scientific & Operational Risk
3. Land Tenure & Legal Risk
- “Many investors worry about land rights and long timelines. How do SPVs and secure land use agreements de-risk these concerns?”
4. Financial De-risking
- “How can green bonds, blended finance, or carbon credits help de-risk or offset long payback periods for these investments?”
5. Social License & Community Engagement
- How do we build farmer trust and accountability in cooperatives or managed plantations to avoid mismanagement or conflict?
6. Real-World Example
- “Can each of you share one example where a risk was successfully mitigated in a project you were involved in?”
7. Investor Red Flags
- What are the warning signs an investor should look out for in a nature-based project?
8. Policy & Public Support
- How can government policies like DENR-CNC/ECC or DA programs support the scaling of low-risk agroforestry investments?
Key Talking Points to Reinforce
- SPVs isolate project risk and attract co-financing
- Biotech (tissue culture, inoculation) improves predictability of harvests
- Carbon credit eligibility adds early-stage revenue
- Training and coop models build ground-level accountability
- Vertical integration ensures market access and value retention
- Compliance with CITES and DENR ensures legal export capability
Summary
“Nature-based investments are no longer just a noble cause—they are a viable asset class. With the right structures, science, and safeguards, the Philippines can lead in regenerative capital. Today’s discussion proves that when forestry, finance, and innovation align, we don’t just plant trees—we build futures.”