Manulife and the World Economic Forum are launching two initiatives that would support ecopreneurs and partners in scaling their sustainable ventures.

The insurer and lobbying organization are launching two Innovation Challenges in 2023 through UpLink – the Forum’s open innovation platform. The partnership was announced during the World Economic Forum’s recent annual meeting in Davos.

A release explained that the two Innovation Challenges will help support solutions that come from and are aimed at forests.

The “Sustainable Forest Economy Challenge” will aim to source innovative solutions across the value chain, from the sustainable management of forests to the production and usage of wood. Applications for this challenge are open until March 01, 2023.

Meanwhile, the “Forests and Trees Improving Human Health and Well-being Challenge” looks to cultivate innovations that build upon the connections between the planet and human health. Further details on this challenge will be made public at a later date.

"Our environment is key to human health and wellbeing, and as a global life insurer and asset manager, we see firsthand how damaged ecosystems put livelihoods and economies at risk," said Manulife president and CEO Roy Gori. "Given our position as one of the world's largest sustainable timberland and farmland investment managers, we can support and scale innovative solutions, which are urgently needed in response to the rapid degradation of nature and biodiversity. We are very excited to launch this project with the World Economic Forum and UpLink and want to hear from passionate, big thinkers who can help us address and reverse nature loss." 

Manulife previously announced its support for the World Economic Forum's Trillion Trees initiative last December. The insurer revealed in a release that it hopes to scale its carbon-focused forestry investments over a period of five years.