Mirova has secured initial commitments for its new sustainable land management fund which aims to close at its €350m target by year-end.
The Natixis Investment Managers arm said the Mirova Sustainable Land Fund 2’s (MSLF2) investors include the SDG Impact Finance Initiative, Abeille Assurances, Allianz France, and BNP Paribas Cardif. Development finance institutions FMO and Proparco also plan to invest in the fund’s upcoming second close.
The manager said MSLF2 will invest in nature-based solutions, particularly agroforestry projects across Africa, Latin America and Asia, delivering benefits for climate, biodiversity and local communities.
The fund aims to support the transition and decarbonisation of agricultural and forestry value chains while generating financial returns and positive impacts on climate, biodiversity, water and social inclusion, especially for women in emerging countries, with a focus on sustainable forestry, agroforestry and regenerative agriculture.
Mirova said it has partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to develop a project pipeline and support initiatives on the ground.
MSLF2 expects further commitments from foundations, government agencies, bilateral development finance institutions, multilateral funds and private investors in the first half of 2025, Mirova said, adding that the fund is progressing towards its target size of its $400m (€350m) by the end of the year.
Anne-Laurence Roucher, the head of private equity and natural capital at Mirova, said: “Fostering collective intelligence and collaboration among all stakeholders is vital to accelerate the shift from nature-dependent economic value chains to a more sustainable model that enhances the incomes and rights of local communities.
“This inaugural coalition is a promising sign for financing sustainable land use, and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our partners for their trust in our longstanding expertise in natural capital.”
Guillaume Bonnel, CEO at SDG Impact Finance Initiative, said: “By supporting agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable forestry in emerging markets, this initiative perfectly aligns with our mission to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals through innovative financing solutions.
“We are convinced that the fund and its dedicated team will not only succeed in achieving meaningful positive impact but also continue mobilising private capital at scale, further expanding their reach and fostering resilient ecosystems and empowered local communities.”
Thomas Rivron, investment director at Abeille Assurances, said Abeille Assurances is committed to financing projects that directly address the main drivers of biodiversity loss such as change of land use and land degradation.
“We are also willing to promote collaboration among all parties, public or private, which share the objective of making the economy more sustainable.”
Matthias Seewald, member of the executive committee in charge of sustainability and investments at Allianz France, said: “Collaboration and long-term partnerships – across industries, the private and public sectors, and borders – are essential to advancing sustainable finance and creating a tangible impact.
“At Allianz France, we are proud to be part of MSLF2, contributing to the agroecological transition through innovative approaches. This is an area we will continue to invest in moving forward.”
Eric Béquet, acting CIO of BNP Paribas Cardif, said: “We are delighted to contribute to the projects financed by the Mirova Sustainable Land Fund 2 to protect and preserve biodiversity, which are fully in line with our overall approach to socially responsible investment.”
Béquet added that BNP Paribas Cardif expects to allocate at least €800m by 2025 to investments that contribute to the energy transition and initiatives with a social and environmental theme, including protection of biodiversity.
Maurik Jehee, principal investment officer at FMO, said: “FMO is proud to collaborate with our esteemed partners in the Mirova Sustainable Land Fund 2. This initiative invests in agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable forestry aligning with our mission to support sustainable private sector growth.
“By integrating nature and biodiversity into its investments, the fund aims to restore degraded ecosystems, enable conservation and ensure that areas under agriculture and forestry are managed sustainably. We are grateful for the trust and collaboration of our partners and look forward to a sustainable and inclusive future.”
Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco, said: “Proparco is delighted to support MSLF2 launched by Mirova, a trusted partner. This fund represents a remarkable initiative, aiming to deliver transformative, measurable impacts through projects in primary agriculture, forestry, and downstream value chains.
“Its goals align with our shared vision of biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, economic empowerment for local communities, and gender equality.”
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