Policy Development

Do you have a large forestry portfolio or do you finance forestry clients in regions with higher levels of social and environmental risks?

Most banks have exposure to forestry clients in regions known for serious sustainability issues such as illegal logging or deforestation. Simultaneously, there are growing commercial opportunities for sustainable forest practices and business solutions. A clear and pragmatic policy for provision of financial services to the forestry sector is crucial for banks seeking to maximise the opportunities of a strong forestry portfolio while minimising exposure to sustainability risks.

The toolkit

The Sustainable Forest Finance Toolkit presents a policy development model, which integrates key issues and questions banks should consider at group strategy, risk and compliance levels.

An illustrative policy framework is provided, which incorporates guidance on policy content, scope, implementation and governance.

How PwC can help

PwC has experience providing a range of sustainability services to leading financial institutions:

• Develop bespoke forestry policies suitable to the bank's portfolio focus areas and risk appetite
• Support policy integration into existing sustainability due diligence and risk management processes
• Policy implementation and governance support throughout the bank