Natural Capital at Scale: Where Returns Meet Global Impact

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In an interview with Agri Investor, Dr. Stavros Siokos, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Astarte Capital Partners, discusses why natural capital is becoming a core allocation for institutional investors, and why South America plays a central role in this transition.

Dr. Siokos explains that forestry and agriculture are increasingly viewed as resilient, long-term real assets, addressing climate change, food security, and resource scarcity while offering attractive risk-adjusted returns. As global supply chains are reshaped by climate volatility and population growth, regions with strong natural endowments and export infrastructure are gaining strategic importance.

A key theme of the interview is the importance of geography and scale. South America stands out due to its favourable agro-climatic conditions, improving governance, and ability to support diversified, large-scale strategies within a limited number of markets. Countries such as Chile and Paraguay are highlighted as leading examples where productivity, sustainability, and institutional capital align, alongside emerging destinations including Uruguay, Peru, and Colombia that are increasingly attracting institutional natural capital investment.

Dr. Siokos also emphasizes the role of technology in modern natural capital investing. Advances in data, satellite monitoring, and AI are improving asset selection, operational efficiency, and the measurement of carbon, biodiversity, and social outcomes.

Finally, the interview underscores the need for disciplined, economically viable investment models. Successful natural capital strategies must be grounded in productive assets and strong operating expertise, with environmental outcomes enhancing — not replacing — financial fundamentals.

Download the full Agri Investor interview with Dr. Stavros Siokos

Dr. Stavros Siokos Interview on Natural Capital Investing.pdf

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