7 Powerful Reasons Protecting BC Old Growth Forests Is Smart Economics

In an era when environmental policies are scrutinized for both their ecological merit and fiscal prudence, a new report offers a compelling argument: protecting BC old growth forests isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for business. According to findings covered by Business in Vancouver, the preservation of ancient forests in British Columbia’s Okanagan and Prince George timber supply areas could generate $10.9 billion in benefits. Over the course of a century, that figure could quadruple to $43.1 billion, simply by protecting 100% of the remaining old-growth trees in those regions.

Here are seven powerful reasons why protecting BC old growth forests should be seen as a cornerstone of sound economic policy.

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1. Nature’s Assets Appreciate Over Time

Forests, unlike machinery or fossil fuels, gain value the longer they’re left untouched. Old growth ecosystems store carbon, regulate water cycles, and serve as biodiversity reservoirs. When left intact, these systems provide a growing stream of economic and climate-related benefits—far exceeding short-term timber profits.

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2. Climate Resilience Has Real Financial Value

As climate disasters intensify, the ability of forests to stabilize soil, cool local temperatures, and regulate water becomes more than ecological—it becomes economic. Forests act as buffers against fire, flood, and drought, reducing the need for public infrastructure spending. When considering the cost of inaction, the numbers quickly favor preservation.

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3. Carbon Offsets Aren’t the Full Story—But They Help

While BC’s forests have long been seen as carbon sinks, monetizing their carbon storage potential is only one part of the value chain. The report finds that carbon-related benefits alone form a large portion of the projected gains, supporting the notion that old-growth preservation can complement British Columbia’s climate commitments.

For a deeper look at the intricacies of carbon modeling, see our article When Forest Math Fails.

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4. Biodiversity Isn’t Just a Moral Good—It’s an Economic One

A biodiverse ecosystem is a resilient one. And resilience, as insurers and supply chain experts will attest, is the foundation of long-term economic stability. Old growth forests provide habitat for species that support pollination, pest control, and ecosystem integrity—functions with high replacement costs if lost.

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5. Timber Revenues Are a One-Time Payout

Harvesting old growth provides short-term gains. But once logged, these forests take centuries to recover. The economic benefit of standing forests—through tourism, ecosystem services, carbon storage, and risk mitigation—is perpetual. This is not a debate between ideology and economy—it’s a debate between short-term extraction and long-term yield.

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6. Indigenous-Led Stewardship Unlocks Sustainable Development

Many of BC’s most biologically rich forests lie within the unceded territories of Indigenous nations. Protecting them presents an opportunity to support Indigenous-led conservation economies—ones that generate income through guardianship, sustainable tourism, and cultural preservation.

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7. Protecting Forests Strengthens BC’s Global Standing

Jurisdictions that lead on environmental protection attract investment, partnerships, and global credibility. As the world shifts toward ESG metrics and low-carbon portfolios, BC has the opportunity to differentiate itself—not through extraction, but through ecological leadership.

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A New Kind of Forestry Math

The findings echo a broader shift in how we value forests. They are not merely inputs for paper or lumber—they are living infrastructure, yielding returns in climate stability, health, and intergenerational equity. The full report covered by BIV can be found here.

Do you want to do more? Collaborate Locally and Nationally by supporting other environmental organizations, Indigenous communities, and forward-thinking businesses. Here you can find a few ideas:
BC Sierra Club
EcoJustice Canada
BC Climate Emergency Campaign

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