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The document finds that cattle productivity in the Legal Amazon is uniformly low and extensive, meaning that disseminating the practices of the region's most productive municipalities would only increase production value by 17.6-29.4%. This is significantly lower than the potential gains seen in grain production. To achieve major productivity increases without deforestation, the authors argue for the adoption of new technologies—such as crop-livestock integration systems (ICLS)—and the combatting of land grabbing and illegal deforestation, which currently incentivize low-productivity extensive ranching for land speculation.

The report finds that livestock productivity in the Legal Amazon is highly homogeneous and characterized by an extensive production model with low input use. While disseminating existing best practices from the most productive municipalities could increase production value by 17.6-29.4% without further deforestation, this is significantly lower than the potential seen in crop agriculture. The authors argue that substantial gains require a new business model involving technologies not yet used at scale, such as integrated crop-livestock systems, and the combatting of land grabbing (grilagem), which incentivizes low-productivity extensive ranching for land speculation.

The report finds that while there is broad stakeholder interest and significant latent potential for green projects in Ghana—particularly in renewable energy, green housing, and water infrastructure—the green bond market is currently nascent with no prior issuances. Key barriers include a shallow debt capital market, a lack of formal issuance guidelines, limited technical capacity to identify eligible project pipelines, and a mismatch between issuer and investor expectations regarding pricing. The study suggests that government leadership, such as a sovereign green bond issuance planned for 2021/22, and the development of a dedicated green segment on the Ghana Stock Exchange are critical for catalyzing the market. It also emphasizes the need for credit enhancements and technical assistance to bridge the gap between speculative project ideas and bankable green bonds.

The document examines the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) in supporting smallholder farmer resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a study of six countries and commodities, it finds that VSS compliance can provide higher incomes through premiums, stronger buyer relationships, and better access to training. However, VSSs do not fully protect farmers from international price volatility or asymmetric power dynamics in supply chains. The brief recommends that governments leverage VSSs alongside social protection programs, minimum producer prices, and sustainable sourcing frameworks to enhance farmer livelihoods.

The document assesses the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) in enhancing the resilience of small-scale farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. While VSS can provide higher incomes through price premiums, stronger supply chain links, and better access to training, they do not fully protect producers from international price volatility or asymmetric power dynamics. The brief recommends that governments complement VSS with social protection, minimum pricing, and policies to stimulate demand for sustainable products.

The document assesses the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) in enhancing the resilience of small-scale farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a study of six countries and commodities, it finds that VSS can provide higher prices, stronger buyer relationships, and better training, which help farmers mitigate shocks. However, VSS alone cannot protect against global price volatility or asymmetric power dynamics in supply chains. The brief recommends that governments complement VSS with social protection programs, minimum price guarantees, and policies to stimulate demand for sustainable products.

The document examines the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) in supporting smallholder farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. While VSSs generally do not protect farmers from global price volatility or asymmetric power dynamics, they can enhance resilience through higher prices/premiums, stronger buyer-producer relationships, market diversification, and better access to training. The study analyzes six sectors: rice in Cambodia, cotton in India, avocado in Colombia, banana in Guatemala, cashew in Guinea-Bissau, and coffee in Rwanda. It concludes that governments should complement VSSs with policies such as minimum producer prices, expanded social protection, and incentives for sustainable consumption to further build farmer resilience.

The document examines how solar photovoltaics, batteries, and information and communications technology can revolutionize food production and address structural rural development challenges. It specifically highlights the role of solar-powered irrigation and the feasibility of solar-powered electric cookers in Kenya to improve gender equality and social inclusion.

The report identifies significant opportunities for green finance in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC), noting that while the market is small with only six deals to date, there is high potential for expansion in renewable energy, low-carbon transport, sustainable water and waste management, sustainable agriculture, and the blue economy. It highlights the role of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and regional stock exchanges in driving this growth, while providing a guide for issuers to align with international standards like the Climate Bonds Taxonomy.

The report analyzes the green finance landscape in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC), noting that while the market is small—with only six green bond issuances as of June 2020—there is significant potential for growth in renewable energy, low-carbon transport, sustainable water, and waste management. It highlights the role of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the leadership of Costa Rica in climate ambition. The document provides a step-by-step guide for green financing and explores emerging opportunities in sustainable agriculture and the blue economy, while discussing the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the 2020 hurricane season.

The report finds a significant investment gap between Canada's current climate-related fiscal commitments and the funding required to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. While acknowledging positive steps in public transit and building energy efficiency, the authors argue that Canada is being outpaced by international peers, such as the US and EU, in per capita green spending. The analysis identifies critical funding shortfalls across seven sectors, including transportation, clean energy, and nature-based solutions, and calls for Budget 2021 to prioritize uncosted measures and scaled-up investments to ensure an equitable green recovery.

The report argues that while Canada has made positive climate commitments, there is a significant investment gap between current budget allocations and the funding required to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. By comparing federal spending with recommendations from expert coalitions, the document identifies critical funding shortages across seven sectors: transport, building retrofits, clean energy, nature and adaptation, agriculture, industry and innovation, and workforce development. It highlights that Canada's per capita climate spending during the pandemic is more than eight times lower than the promises made by the US under Joe Biden. The report calls for the 2021 Budget to prioritize deficit spending on green infrastructure, eliminate fossil fuel subsidies, and implement a just transition for workers, particularly in the coal, oil, and gas sectors.

The document presents an economic evaluation of the Saloum Delta in Senegal, demonstrating that preserving and restoring mangrove forests is a more cost-effective alternative to 'grey' infrastructure. Using the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology, it quantifies the financial benefits of ecosystem services and compares them against the costs of built infrastructure and the impacts of various development scenarios, such as organic farming, reforestation, and solar cooking.

The document identifies off-grid renewable energy, batteries, and ICT as transformative technologies capable of increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability. It focuses on solar-powered irrigation, noting that while falling costs of solar PV and lithium-ion batteries make these systems more accessible, high upfront costs remain a barrier. The brief warns of risks such as groundwater over-extraction and price depression due to increased yields, and provides eight policy recommendations for governments and financial institutions to ensure an inclusive and sustainable transition.

The document identifies off-grid renewable energy, batteries, and information and communication technologies (ICT) as 'transformative' tools capable of increasing agricultural productivity while reducing environmental costs. It focuses on solar-powered irrigation as a key application, noting that dramatic price drops in solar PV and lithium-ion batteries are making these systems more accessible to smallholders. While these technologies offer opportunities for increased yields and income, the brief warns of risks such as groundwater over-extraction and market price drops due to overproduction. It concludes with eight policy recommendations for governments and financial institutions to ensure an inclusive and sustainable transition, including targeted subsidies, responsible lending regulations, and improved digital infrastructure.

The report finds that increased rural credit generally boosts agricultural production and productivity while reducing deforestation pressures, particularly in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. This occurs as credit enables producers to shift from extensive livestock ranching to more intensive crop cultivation. The analysis reveals that these positive land-use effects are most pronounced in the Amazon and Cerrado, while productivity gains are more significant in the Atlantic Forest, Pampas, and Caatinga. Additionally, the report notes that rural credit has a substantially higher positive impact on grain production compared to other crops.

Thailand is promoting a bioeconomy centered on cassava and sugarcane to drive economic growth and social equity, though the industrial sector is more advanced than community-based efforts. While integrated into policies like Thailand 4.0 and the 20-year National Strategic Plan, the transition faces regulatory hurdles, such as the Cane and Sugar Act (1968), and environmental pressures including land and water scarcity. Social challenges include wage inequality for plantation workers and food security risks for farmers shifting from rice to sugarcane.

The document outlines a resilience framework—survive, adapt, and thrive—applied to support green businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the role of international collaborations, such as the International Cleantech Network and the EU Delegation, in providing financial and strategic support to green SMMEs. Key outcomes include the retention of 760 jobs and the creation of 41 new jobs through the Green Outcomes Fund, as well as the integration of South African cleantech solutions into the Solar Impulse Foundation's global portfolio.

The document examines how international trade drives biodiversity loss through agricultural commodity expansion and resource extraction, while analyzing the potential for trade policies, multilateral rules, and supply chain initiatives to support nature conservation.

The Land Accelerator South Asia program, launched by the World Resources Institute (WRI) in 2020, supports entrepreneurs developing business models to restore degraded lands. The 2021 cohort grew to 58 entrepreneurs, with women's participation increasing from 13% in 2020 to 31% in 2021. The program provides mentorship, grants, and connections to impact investors to scale solutions in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and agritech. This booklet highlights eleven specific startups, detailing their technological solutions—such as AI-based weeding robots, drone-based precision agriculture, and bio-economic waste conversion—and their reported socio-economic and environmental impacts, including increased farmer incomes and carbon sequestration.