Innovative and inclusive finance for a just rural transition

With 40% of the world’s financial assets pledged to align with net zero carbon emissions by mid-century, food and land use systems – responsible for around a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions – offer unique opportunities to develop the net zero projects needed to meet climate goals, while protecting and restoring nature, building resilient and equitable livelihoods and providing nutritious food for the world’s growing population. 

It is increasingly recognized that investments in sustainable food systems must reach rural communities, incentivizing and rewarding producers for their efforts, and building vibrant rural economies, which enable resilient businesses, reliable supply chains, and decent work and living incomes that keep young people, the workforce of tomorrow, in food and agriculture.

The Just Rural Transition’s Investment Partnerships workstream, managed by WBCSD, has collated a series of case studies highlighting best practice approaches to investments in sustainable food systems which work in partnership with rural communities, and contribute to equitable livelihoods.

Aceli Africa: Incentivizing Lending to Underserved Agri-SMEs – Delivering a just rural transition by incentivising capital markets to better serve agri-SMEs – the engines of prosperous rural economies

Bharti AXA: Protecting Producers through Private Crop Insurance – Delivering a just rural transition through state-subsidized private insurance for crop risk management

BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund: Scaling Loans by Funding Local Institutions – Delivering a just rural transition by supporting the expansion of the Microfinance Institutions providing credit to micro-entrepreneurs, MSMEs and smallholder farmers

C2SLP: Incentivizing Sustainable Production through Credit – Delivering a just rural transition by providing producers with credit access tied to climate-smart land use

EcoEnterprises Fund: Nurturing Nature-Based Businesses to Succeed – Delivering a just rural transition through hands-on venture capital investing in impact-driven food and agribusiness startups

Golden Agri-Resources: Rejuvenating Farmer Incomes through Finance – Delivering a just rural transition by reversing declining yields through finance and certification support for smallholders

IDH Farmfit: Supporting Businesses to Support Farmers – Delivering a just rural transition by accelerating business models that provide smallholders with inputs from training to finance

The Isda Strategy: Rewarding Fishers for Sustainable Practices – Delivering a blueprint for a just rural transition through novel approaches to sustainable, equitable fisheries management

Land Degradation Neutrality Fund: De-risking Private Investment in Restoration – Delivering a just rural transition through the world’s first commercial fund dedicated to land restoration

Lionheart Agrotech: Sharing Value with Indigenous Communities – Delivering a just rural transition through profitable coconut plantations working closely and respectfully with indigenous peoples

The Moringa Fund: Private Equity for Agroforestry Solutions – Delivering a just rural transition by strengthening community and supply chain resilience through investment in agroforestry

NKG Bloom: Building Well-Financed, Resilient Coffee Supply Chains – Delivering a just rural transition by injecting blended finance into sustainable coffee supply chains