We need a fundamental rethink of land ownership and value

Coillte’s deal with a multinational asset company spotlights bigger questions about the role of semi-state bodies here and the centrality of land within efforts to address climate change 

The deal with Gresham House hopes to raise €200m in investment capital, and will see the semi-state purchase and manage 123,000 acres of land in Ireland on behalf of international investors.

This month, Coillte announced the ‘Irish Strategic Forestry Fund,’ a deal with multinational asset management company Gresham House.

The deal, which has attracted investors including Ireland’s own sovereign development fund, hopes to raise €200m in investment capital, and will see the semi-state purchase and manage 123,000 acres of land in Ireland on behalf of international investors.