Responsible Investing

Our mission is to create an environment of excellence in teak practices, particularly in the Colombian Caribbean region, processing certified teak to the highest international standards.

This will guarantee a strong margin of return for our investors while simultaneously combating climate change, achieving a positive environmental impact that directly benefits the communities with which we work .

Environmental Impact

Forestry plantations offer important benefits to the environment and to local populations living in rural areas. Carbon sequestration is one of the most relevant environmental impacts of forests. It is forecast that in the next 50 years, forests can offset c. 15% of global carbon emissions.

We take our social and environmental responsibilities very seriously. From our land choices to our investment in the local community, we demonstrate at all times our commitment to making the world we live in a more sustainable one for all species.

• Methane reduction: We are deliberate in how we select our farms, only acquiring land that is grassland or farmland. With this approach, we ensure that our climate impact is maximised and that we are not substituting one type of tree for another, but instead reducing methane production and replacing it with carbon sequestration capability. Our due diligence exercises also endeavour to ensure that we protect existing habitats on our farms.

• Deforestation offsetting: Teak plantations support sustainable forestry practices. Investing in teak means contributing to carbon sequestration and reducing the environmental impact of deforestation. One of the main factors that affects carbon sequestration is a tree’s maturity. Matured trees have more wood and bigger size, leading to more efficient photosynthesis, and greater carbon sequestration. Teak is a fast-growing, fast-maturing tree.

• Carbon Sequestration: Project II seeks to acquire 6,000 hectares of grassland and plant 4,200 hectares which will have significant carbon sequestration potential.

• Co-operative Sustainability: Scellec Teca is a member of Genforest, a co-operative of teak plantation growers/owners who share teak genetics by swapping teak clones when possible. This increases variety, diversity and hardiness, and decreases risk. The co-operative shares learnings on how teak behaves in different conditions, resulting in constant improvement of the clonal material. Scellec Teca is satisfied in time it can make use of its membership more and share clones as currently rules for the import of teak seedlings into Colombia is prohibited.