Putting people and nature at the heart of development

Our Approach

We take a holistic, integrated approach to economic, community, environmental and conservation rights to optimise land-use and deliver sustainable, conservation-led development.

Our methodology is anchored in a detailed audit and rigorous analysis of current and prospective land-use options, carbon stocks and biodiversity within the project area.

Through a process of iteration and expert input, the optimal allocation of land-use rights across the ecosystem is determined. This is followed by the design of appropriate commercial activities to maximise investment returns whilst simultaneously contributing to the optimisation of environmental rights, maintaining terrestrial carbon stocks, fast-tracking economic transformation and supporting social upliftment in the region.

Our projects are delivered in accordance with relevant national imperatives in terms of the Paris Accord, and in strict compliance with local regulation. Monitoring of carbon stocks (measuring, reporting and verification) will take place on an annual basis and compared with a baseline derived from a verified unplanned development scenario.

Our Methodology

1. Land use optimisation 2. Sustainable Development Plan 3. Sustainable Development Credits 4. Natural capital approach

Our first step is to assemble land rights for areas large enough to accommodate a diverse range of activities. We structure the concessions under long term leases to enable us to take a strategic and holistic view of use rights.

We start by surveying the project area using satellite imagery, before conducting an aerial study to confirm the existing land use classification. Carbon densities and stocks are mapped and calculated and the region’s ecosystems, flora and fauna extensively audited to inform the design of optimal land use.

Commercialisation in areas with unique biodiversity and important ecosystem services is avoided entirely. This approach ensures ecological integrity is protected and community rights are respected.

Land-use planning for areas selected for commercialisation prioritises economic activities where the country has a significant competitive advantage and where industry can be developed sustainably. Government policies relating to food security, infrastructure development, renewable energy and biodiversity are integrated into the project design and existing land use rights - including community rights, traversing rights and riparian rights - are documented with due consideration.

2. Sustainable Development Plan

We prevent unplanned deforestation and environmental degradation through proactive planning, sustainable design and responsible management of all infrastructure elements and influences on the landscape.

The approach is outlined in a comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan, which reflects Gabon’s Sustainable Development Law passed in 2014 and the principles of the Plan Stratégique Gabon Emergent.

3. Sustainable Development Credits

Sustainable planned development of the project area avoids the potentially significant environmental degradation and terrestrial carbon losses that are likely to result from unplanned development.

Projects and activities that deliver sustainable and measurable benefits against an agreed baseline are granted Sustainable Development Credits (SDCs), while those that don’t satisfy these criteria may be required to purchase SDCs or invest in remedial works or in sustainable development projects.

The underlying feasibility of each project and the quantum of funding required to deliver on each opportunity is established based on traditional development capital financing principles.

4. Natural capital approach

Our natural capital methodology values the true worth of the land-use and ecosystem rights secured for each project. By developing a holistic asset pricing model that reflects the full risk and return dynamics of the integrated ecosystem, the inherent carbon security, biodiversity and ecosystem services can be fairly and accurately represented on the balance sheet. This natural capital approach incorporates multidisciplinary skill sets, is anchored in established real estate and corporate finance valuation principles and is compliant with the International Valuation Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards.

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