The Universe is constructed using a transparent, three-step methodology that combines deforestation exposure data from Forest IQ with coverage from Forest 500 and ZSL SPOTT. It focuses on six commodities most closely associated with forest loss: soy, palm oil, beef, leather, timber, and pulp & paper, and screens for issuers with meaningful volumes of debt relevant to international fixed income investors. The update explains which issuers moved into and out of the Universe over the last year, and why.
The Deforestation Debt Universe is intended as an applied research tool for fixed income investors. It supports analysis of issuance activity and underwriting incentives, portfolio and ETF exposure comparisons, issuer-level engagement case studies, and prioritisation of issuers most likely to access primary markets.
Moreover, the research highlights where deforestation risk is financially material and where investors have the greatest potential to influence outcomes through engagement and capital allocation decisions.
