French banking group Crédit Agricole has announced the launch of Crédit Agricole Capital Naturel, a dedicated division designed to preserve, regenerate, and enhance natural capital assets across Europe.
The division will initially focus on the forestry sector before expanding its operational mandate to water resources and biodiversity in 2027. The platform will deliver strategic advisory, project structuring, insurance, asset management, and financing solutions for corporate entities, institutional investors, private landowners, and regional public authorities.
To establish its forestry operations, Crédit Agricole S.A. has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in EcoTree, a European ecosystem restoration firm specialising in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable timber management.
Additionally, the division will deploy capital through the newly created Amundi Arbora Nova fund, an institutional vehicle aiming to raise €200 million over time for afforestation and reforestation projects in France and wider Europe.
Timothée Jaulin has been appointed Head of the Natural Capital Division to lead the rollout. Reporting to Jean-Pierre Touzet, Head of Agri-Agro, Guarantee and Growth Capital, Jaulin will oversee the division’s growth under the direction of Grégory Erphelin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Crédit Agricole S.A.
Erphelin stated that the initiative harnesses Crédit Agricole’s retail and investment networks to support customers, regional economies, and industrial sectors through systemic environmental challenges.
