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The document outlines a 'Decalogue of Ambition' for NDCs, emphasizing the need for science-based emission reductions, sector-specific targets, and a transition away from fossil fuels. It details requirements for mitigation, including a 43% global reduction by 2030, and adaptation, focusing on climate resilience in agriculture, health, and infrastructure. The guide also stresses the importance of just transition, gender equality, and the mobilization of finance from developed to developing nations.

The document highlights the tension between global trade and agricultural sustainability, noting that while trade is essential for food security, it can exacerbate deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. It argues that while individual governments can implement sustainable trade tools, collective action through the WTO would increase effectiveness. The author suggests several avenues for this cooperation, including reinvigorating existing committees, utilizing the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD), or adopting a dedicated dialogue proposed by Brazil.

The policy brief examines the drivers of food insecurity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), highlighting a 'ratchet effect' where domestic food prices remain high even as global prices fall. It attributes recent price spikes to agribusiness profiteering and financial speculation rather than supply shortages. To combat this, the author proposes the establishment of public buffer stocks, countercyclical interventions in commodity futures markets, stricter financial regulation of global commodity exchanges, and capital flow management to reduce currency volatility. The document specifically suggests that the South African G20 presidency could lead an expert review with the FAO and UNCTAD to stabilise global food prices.

The document analyzes the global bioeconomy, estimating its current value at US$ 4-5 trillion with potential growth to US$ 30 trillion by 2050. It proposes a tripartite spectrum—Nature-Intensive, Advanced, and High-Tech bioeconomies—to better apply distinct financing and policy strategies. The report identifies significant funding gaps, particularly for first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects and in the Global South, and advocates for an 'integrated approach' combining national strategies, international cooperation (via the G20), and innovative financial tools like biodiversity credits and blended finance to ensure a just transition.

The report examines 12 blended finance case studies across sectors like restoration, bioeconomy, and the blue economy to demonstrate how to attract private investment into Nature-based Solutions (NbS). It argues that because nature is often a public good with difficult-to-monetize benefits, the public sector must play a critical role in creating enabling ecosystems through technical assistance and concessional capital. Key findings highlight that guarantees are among the most effective tools for mitigating risk, while engaging direct beneficiaries (such as insurance companies or utilities) can create sustainable revenue streams. The document details specific instruments, such as the Galápagos debt-for-nature swap and the Seychelles Blue Bond, to provide replicable models for G20 countries.

The report examines the application of blended finance to scale Nature-based Solutions (NbS), highlighting that while no single approach exists, tools like guarantees, technical assistance, and the engagement of direct beneficiaries are critical for de-risking investments. Through 12 case studies, it demonstrates how concessional capital can be used to build ecosystems, prove commercial viability, and mobilize private investment in nascent markets. Key examples include the Galápagos Debt Conversion and the Seychelles Blue Bond, which use credit enhancements to lower the cost of capital for marine conservation.

The InvestHER Climate Resilience Bond is Uganda's first gender-focused resilience bond, designed to raise USD 25 million in local currency to close the gender gap in the agrifood system. The instrument targets growth-stage agri-SMEs and local financial service providers (FSPs) to increase the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) among women farmers. It utilizes a dual-tranche structure (commercial and concessional) and a grant-funded technical assistance (TA) facility to address barriers such as high collateral requirements and lack of female-tailored financial products. The bond aims to reach approximately 3,825 agri-MSMEs, with nearly 100% being women-owned or led, and impact 470,000 hectares of farmland.

Regenera Ventures is a 10-year equity fund targeting the Mexican agricultural sector to build climate resilience through regenerative management. The fund utilizes redeemable equity and technical assistance to bridge financing gaps for SMEs and startups across the regenerative value chain, including direct production, added-value processes, market game-changers, and regenerative infrastructure. It aims to mobilize USD 20-26 million in private capital and plans to scale to other Latin American countries, such as Colombia, within 4 to 5 years.

The Resilient Municipal Market Fund (ReMark) is a proposed blended finance facility designed to address the lack of investment in African urban food markets, which are critical to food security but vulnerable to climate risks. The instrument combines a revolving debt facility for capital expenditure loans (USD 0.5-10 million) and a technical assistance (TA) facility managed by ICLEI Africa to prepare markets for investment. The pilot phase targets six municipalities in East and Southern Africa with a total budget of approximately USD 35 million, including USD 30 million in debt and repayable grants and USD 5 million in TA grants. ReMark categorizes markets into three types (A, B, and C) based on financial maturity, proposing different pathways to bankability, including a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) structure for the most challenged markets. Planned retrofits include cold storage, off-grid solar PV, and improved drainage to reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Amazon Food&Forest Bioeconomy Financing Initiative addresses financial barriers facing Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in the Brazilian Amazon through a proprietary fintech platform and a blended finance structure. The initiative combines private debentures (senior and subordinated tranches) with a philanthropic fund to provide growth capital and discounted invoices to regenerative businesses. Currently in a pilot phase with 17 projects and USD 2.7 million deployed, the initiative aims to raise USD 23.12 million in its market phase to scale activities across value chains such as non-timber forest products (NTFPs), community-based tourism, and agroforestry. The goal is to mitigate land-use emissions, protect biodiversity, and improve local livelihoods while attracting commercial private capital to the region's socio-bioeconomy.

The report identifies the intersection of food insecurity and climate change as a critical threat to US national security, citing risks such as political instability, the weaponization of food by adversaries, and geopolitical competition over agricultural technology and fish stocks. It highlights gaps in the US policy landscape, including institutional silos and underfunding of agricultural R&D. To address these, the authors propose 'The Feeding Resilience Plan,' which recommends a new Food Security Executive Order, a standing National Security Council process, expanded forecasting via FEWSNET, increased investment in climate-resilient agricultural innovation, and diplomatic engagement to oppose food weaponization and cooperate with partners and competitors like China.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to eliminate deforestation-driven imports of commodities like palm oil, rubber, cocoa, coffee, soy, and cattle. However, the briefing highlights that stringent due diligence requirements—including geolocation and traceability—risk excluding smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia who lack the financial resources, technical capacity, and legal land tenure to comply. The document argues that without targeted support, such as knowledge hubs, financial mechanisms for compliance costs, and improved stakeholder coordination, smallholders may be pushed out of the global value chain. It emphasizes that local context is critical, as many smallholders operate through informal transactions and lack the certifications required by the EU market.

The report assesses the avocado value chain in East Africa, emphasizing the transition toward sustainable practices to support economic growth and rural development. It identifies that sustainability can protect the environment, improve smallholder farmer livelihoods, and facilitate entry into global markets. To overcome barriers to this transition, the document suggests increasing access to affordable finance, providing training in climate-smart farming, and creating market-focused policies.

Mexico's sustainable debt market reached a cumulative GSS+ volume of USD 55.7bn by the end of 2023, with sustainability bonds emerging as the dominant instrument. The market is heavily driven by the public sector, particularly the federal government and development banks, though private corporate participation is increasing. The report highlights the introduction of the Mexican Sustainable Taxonomy in March 2023 as a key development to guide investments. While Mexico is a global leader in sustainability bond volume, challenges remain in the sustainability-linked bond (SLB) market regarding the credibility of GHG targets. Key opportunities for growth are identified in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and low-carbon construction, supported by trends such as US nearshoring.

Mexico's sustainable debt market (VSS+) reached a cumulative volume of $55.7 billion by the end of 2023, with $38.3 billion aligned with Climate Bonds methodology. The market is dominated by sustainable bonds (72% of aligned volume) and heavily driven by the public sector, including sovereign emissions and development banks like Banobras. While Mexico led the world in sustainable bond issuance in 2023, challenges remain in the alignment of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) due to a lack of greenhouse gas (GHG) targets. The report highlights the 2023 launch of the Sustainable Taxonomy of Mexico as a key tool for guiding future investments in sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable construction, and agriculture.

North Africa faces critical ecological security threats from water scarcity and advancing desertification, which are expected to intensify by 2040 due to climate change and population growth. The region is experiencing declining rainfall, extreme heat waves, and sea-level rise, which threaten food security and socio-economic stability. Key vulnerabilities include the overexploitation of groundwater and a high dependence on food imports. The document recommends a transition to sustainable agriculture, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant crops, alongside wastewater recycling and community-based resilience initiatives.

The report details a collaborative modelling effort by the International Food Policy Research Institute, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, IISD, and Kiel University to address challenges in Indonesia's agrifood systems, such as food insecurity, malnutrition, and deforestation. By using three economic models, the project aims to provide technically sound and politically feasible policy interventions to support Indonesia's medium- and long-term development planning and climate commitments.

Tropic Coffee is a Rwandan SME that processes and exports specialty Arabica coffee, working with approximately 3,000 farmers. An assessment using the RAI Tool for Agribusiness found the company has a moderately high level of compliance with responsible investment principles, scoring particularly high in inclusive governance, stakeholder treatment, and contributions to food security. Key strengths include the empowerment of women through savings groups and specialty market access, and the provision of free shade fruit trees to farmers. However, the company lacks a formal documented business strategy on responsible conduct and faces financial constraints regarding the cost of certifications and the lack of its own dry milling facilities. The report recommends that the company formalize its RAI strategy and that the Rwandan government consider more flexible cherry pricing frameworks to better link farmer payments to international market fluctuations.

The RAI Tool is a Microsoft Excel-based reference tool developed by IISD and Cerise+SPTF to help agribusinesses align their operations with the CFS-RAI Principles and IFC Performance Standards. It focuses on seven dimensions of responsible conduct, ranging from strategy and accountability to financial transparency. The tool is intended as a management and conversation starter rather than a rating system, guiding users through a three-phase assessment process: preparation (including desk reviews), field visits and interviews, and the development of a prioritised action plan to address identified gaps.

The document details how integrating solar energy with agriculture (agrivoltaics) and ecosystem functions (ecovoltaics) can reduce water use, diversify farm income, and support biodiversity. It highlights specific benefits for disadvantaged communities and provides recommendations for financing, pilot projects, and permitting to encourage adoption over traditional solar installations.