Elizabeth Yee’s Post

Couldn't be there in person, but here are the thoughtful key takeaways from the Regenerative Food Systems Investment Europe conference. Well worth a read. https://lnkd.in/ga8yvHAh #regenerativeagriculture #regenerativeleadership #regenerativebusiness

It's really an incredibly exciting and revolutionary idea that the #regenerativeagriculture conference participants realised that they have to talk to farmers if they expect anything from farmers. But not once in the long report did the word "price" appear. Everybody expects an endless list of things from farmers, saving the climate, carbon sequestration, extensive agriculture, honeybee petting zoos, wolf sanctuary, more biodiversity and a hundred other wonders that make urbanites happy. But not a word about anyone paying a fair price for the food that the farmer grows. Today we have reached the price of wheat that was paid for it in 1980. https://lnkd.in/g_TCn3dz Name another industry that now sells anything at 1980 prices or gets paid 1980 wages while all costs have skyrocketed since. Who will finally pay a fair price for the farmer?

A new report from World Economic Forum lays out a breakthrough model for financing and collaboration to support farmers and accelerate the transition to sustainable food production. Research on more than 50 U.S. regenerative agriculture programs informed the report's findings, which highlight how capital and capabilities can be coordinated and deployed more effectively to address economic, technical, and social barriers to farmer adoption. Our members Bayer, Environmental Defense Fund, Nutrien Ag Solutions, PepsiCo, and Unilever and partners Practical Farmers of Iowa and Precision Conservation Management contributed to the report. Dive in: https://lnkd.in/eVvk-nxy

Did you know that the key to achieving our 1.5-degree climate goals and 2050 targets lies beneath our feet? Healthy soils are the foundation of resilience in agriculture, combating climate change challenges like droughts and extreme heat. On September 18th, 2023, at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, ministers discussed a directive on soil monitoring and resilience. This is a small but significant step towards improving soil management sustainability in the EU. One of the answers to a healthy soil lies in embracing regenerative agriculture. This holistic approach encompasses practices like cover crops, organic fertilizers, integrated nutrient management, and more, all proven to boost soil health. Forward-thinking companies in agri-food, textiles, and cosmetics are embracing regenerative agriculture in their supply chains. It's backed by solid scientific evidence and the benefits are immense: increased resilience, reduced costs, better profits, local food security, and positive contributions to climate and nature. OP2B members strongly believe that a successful transition to regenerative agriculture can help meet many of the objectives of the Soil Health Law and are calling for regenerative agriculture to be recognized within this framework.

A new report in regenerative food systems: Bain & Company and World Economic Forum recently released a report that describes the challenges to adopting regenerative agriculture as misaligned agricultural value chains for sustainable production, smallholder technology barriers, and a financial struggle due to the initial loss that results in the switch to regenerative agriculture. The report highlights seven innovative farmer support programs that feature some of these elements and concludes with five actions food system actors can take to drive a step-change in sustainable food production. They suggest solutions that involve fostering public-private partnerships, investing in climate-smart technologies, empowering farmers through inclusive decision-making, and equitable resource distribution. The report is on par with other industry transition whitepapers created last year by other consultants like Boston Consulting Group (BCG) This is another call for internal change of the food system but these types of reports can only go so far. Its clear that investment into forward-thinking food system programs and sustainable CPG's is a truly systemic path to change what is needed. #regenerativeagriculture #farming #news https://lnkd.in/ex4FC99x

One of the most important climate challenges to solve is our future of agriculture and food production in a manner where we ensure safe and adequate food for all, without environmental degradation in the process. Regenerative agriculture is picking up speed as a concept, but in order to support a swift transition we need thinking, approches and funding at landscape level. I recommend #Kristen Dunlop's post and co-authored Forbes article to get the gist of it.

As the climate changes, so does our ability to produce food and maintain sources of drinking water. Already climate change has battered the cacao and citrus industries, and it is beginning to affect corn, rice, and wheat - leading to increased food insecurity as these staple crop yields diminish, regions with viable arable land shift, and extreme weather events disrupt agricultural production and supply chains.    Regenerative agriculture and a holistic approach to land stewardship called "integrated landscape management" (ILM) are both emerging as natural solutions to sustain production, ensure food and water security, restore natural environments and maintain livelihoods. Integrated place-based approaches apply principles of systems thinking, collaboration among actors and stewardship at multiple levels and are already demonstrating significant, sustained benefits for all involved.   This month, Sara Scherr from EcoAgriculture Partners, and I authored a piece in Forbes, where we explain the principles of integrated landscape management and discuss the value of these long-term, place-based partnerships between farmers, businesses, environmental organisations, local governments, communities and indigenous people, with examples of how they can accelerate the regenerative transition. We spotlight the 1000 Landscapes For 1 Billion People initiative, which Climate-KIC is proud to support as a partner and funder, and discuss how innovative partnerships can define transformation strategies and adaptive action plans. Fit-for-purpose finance remains a barrier to the success of these partnerships since the financial system is poorly structured to provide the kinds of investments needed for landscape-scale transformations. During the 2024-26 period, the 1000 Landscapes For 1 Billion People coalition will put in place key building blocks for scaling integrated landscape finance, including: 📍Demand for finance: financial support services for landscape partnerships to develop investable, inclusive landscape investment portfolios. 📍Supply of finance: prototypes and strategic guidance for investors, funders, and businesses to finance landscape project portfolios. 📍Fostering system transformation through the 1000L landscape finance community. See the full article in Forbes: "Farming A Better Future: How Big-Picture Thinking About Regenerative Agriculture Can Help Fix Society’s Ills" and let us know what challenges and opportunities you see in #integratedlandscapmanagement and #regenerativeagriculture for #climateaction. Join forces with us! 👉 Full article is here: https://lnkd.in/en53Z2hV

📰 The Dutch government recently announced its intention to invest €129 million, subject to conditions, from the National Growth Fund (NGF) in the Re-Ge-NL innovation programme. 🔎 This programme is designed to bring about the transition to a regenerative, profitable and socially supported agricultural sector. If conditions are met, this can bring about more regenerative impact. 🧑🏽💻 For more summarised details, take a look at this article: https://lnkd.in/eeY8-P6a 🔬 For finer details, read this page and their linked publications: https://lnkd.in/eM3Ues5V 🤔 Could more be done to increase regenerative adoption? Are there other systems that could be developed? Are there other ways to help aid farmers and the industry in adopting regenerative practices? #regenerativeagriculture #impact #systembuilding #investment

Transformational Investing in Food Systems and our strong partners in key regions are working every day to mobilize financial solutions for companies that are contributing to a regenerative and agroecological future. We echo the call to "those that finance agriculture to urgently work to support this shift and commit to investing in the people who manage our landscapes, and grow our food and fibre, every day.” Global Alliance for the Future of Food