Natural Capital
A real asset with a land-based focus
Natural capital is the world’s stock of natural assets that deliver economic and ecological value to society through ecosystem services. We define natural capital into three distinct verticals, each with different mechanics, risks and market drivers.
Forestry
Forestry involves the acquisition and active management of forests for the sustainable production and sale of commercial timber.
Value is generated through biological growth, timber sales and land appreciation, alongside additional revenue from nature markets such as carbon credits.
As a top-three global commercial forestry manager, we apply active management across our international platform to seek long-term value creation, supporting ecological enhancement, climate transition, decarbonisation and social impact.
Agriculture
Agriculture involves the acquisition and management of productive farmland and its associated operations.
Value is generated through crop or lease income, alongside long-term land appreciation.
For opportunities in agriculture, please contact us.
Active management is how we create value
We don’t just hold assets, we transform them.
Through direct, active ownership, disciplined management drives outperformance for our clients at every stage of our investment lifecycle.
This is delivered across three pillars:
On-the-ground execution
Specialist teams in our key markets combine global scale with local expertise, backed by institutional-grade governance and reporting.
Asset optimisation
Active management unlocks productivity gains across our assets, targeting above-market returns alongside meaningful environmental progress.
Diversified revenue
Multi-layered income is unlocked across nature markets, renewable energy leases and land-use repositioning, with a track record in delivering additional return potential.
Natural Capital at Gresham House
Top 5
Natural Capital manager globally1
£6.2bn
Natural Capital AUM
120 years’
Experience in Natural Capital
Largest
Biodiversity provider in the UK2
Figures as at 30 June 2026. 1IPE Real Assets, 2026. 2No. of sites on GSR.
Why invest in Natural Capital and why now?
We believe natural capital investments offer a compelling mix of financial performance and long-term real-world sustainability outcomes.
1
Portfolio resilience
Uncorrelated, income-generating real assets with inflation-linked characteristics.
2
Structural tailwinds
Land scarcity, population growth, supply chain reconfiguration, and global net-zero targets.
3
Real-world impact
Sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture, and nature-based solutions drive both ecological and economic value.
Natural Capital FAQs
Common questions on natural capital and the investment case, including a glossary of key terms.
What is natural capital?
Natural capital is the world’s stock of natural assets, including forests, soils, land and air, that provide economic, environmental and social benefits. We focus on land, forests and the ecosystems they support.
What are nature markets?
Nature markets involve the creation and sale of environmental credits from carbon, biodiversity and other ecosystem services, monetised through statutory markets, long-term contracts or voluntary credit markets.
What natural capital allocation should investors consider?
There’s no single right allocation, it depends on an investor’s objectives and wider portfolio. However, our analysis suggests even a small natural capital allocation can make a meaningful difference to portfolio outcomes.
What are the portfolio benefits of natural capital?
Natural capital offers returns driven by biological growth and land productivity rather than interest rates or market sentiment. This gives it low correlation to conventional portfolios, helping improve diversification and risk-adjusted returns.
Insights
Latest news and thinking on Natural Capital
Natural capital: a distinct source of portfolio diversification
Our hypothetical modelling suggests that a 10% allocation to natural capital can improve risk-adjusted returns.
Gresham House announces €250mn first close of its Sustainable International Forestry Strategy Platform, anchored by Worcestershire Pension Fund and NGS Super
Gresham House announces €250mn first close of its Sustainable International Forestry Strategy Platform, anchored by Worcestershire Pension Fund and NGS…
Report: Global Timber Outlook
In this detailed report, Gresham House looks at the drivers behind global timber consumption, which we believe will result in…
Connect with our team
Whether you would like to explore our investment strategies, discuss your objectives or learn more about Gresham House, our team is here to help.
Key risks
The value of your investment and the income from it is not guaranteed and may fall as well as rise. As your capital is at risk you may get back less than you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.