Regenerative agribusiness and investment with a gender lens in the Amazonia and Central America dry corridor

 

The Andes-Amazon region is home to an estimated 10% of the Earth's species. In addition, with only 0.5% of the world's land surface, Central America is home to more than 7% of the planet's biodiversity. However, despite their natural wealth, these ecosystems are under constant threat, severely impacting the food security and livelihoods of their populations. Not only do increasing deforestation and wildfires affect local livelihoods, food production and access, they also contribute to global warming, increasing climate variability and further affecting food systems and livelihoods. This region has also been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has only increased its vulnerability.

An innovative approach to doing business and investment has emerged, one that contributes to the provision of and access to healthy food by local communities while simultaneously protecting natural ecosystems. This “regenerative” business model puts the creation of value within agroecological systems and the reinforcement of communities’ resilience at the core of agricultural businesses. Complementary to nature-based solutions to climate change, this approach goes beyond achieving net-zero emissions towards carbon-negative impact while contributing to food and water security.

The regenerative business model also encompasses regenerating social cohesion, fostering inclusion and gender equality, enhancing communities' livelihoods and increasing their resilience to shocks such as climate change and pandemics. However, despite the increasing emergence of these market-based solutions, there is still limited evidence on the financial viability or the social and environmental benefits of regenerative agribusinesses, which is undermining the growth of this sector.

This project will address this gap and contribute evidence and learning on the needs and impacts of regenerative agri-food businesses using a gender lens. Based on this evidence, it will mobilize financial and non-financial support, build a community of regenerative enterprises, impact investors and intermediaries and inform policy responses to help build forward better through a renewed role for agribusiness in climate action and inclusion.