$9 Billion Mobilized to Transform Global Agrifood Systems: A Bold Move to Support 12 Million Farmers
In a groundbreaking announcement from Belém, Brazil, on November 15, 2025, the COP Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes (AARL) revealed a massive surge in investments aimed at revolutionizing agrifood systems worldwide. But here's where it gets controversial: can such ambitious financial commitments truly deliver on their promise to regenerate landscapes, support millions of farmers, and ensure resilient food production? Let’s dive in.
The initiative, launched at COP28 by the COP28 Presidency, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), with backing from the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, has mobilized over $9 billion in committed investments. This funding aims to transform more than 210 million hectares of land and support 12 million farmers across 110+ countries by 2030. The focus? Integrated solutions that blend production, conservation, and restoration to build resilient agrifood systems.
But here’s the part most people miss: This isn’t just about money. It’s about collaboration. AARL brings together a diverse coalition of farmers, agribusinesses, financiers, and non-state actors to tackle the complex challenges of scaling regenerative practices. Since its launch, the initiative has grown from 25 to over 40 participating organizations, including commodity traders, consumer goods companies, retailers, agtech providers, and financial institutions.
Driving Scale and Impact: The Numbers Tell the Story
While the total land under regenerative transition has adjusted due to stricter definitions and revised expectations, the quality and maturity of programs have significantly improved. For instance, the share of large-scale initiatives (10,000+ hectares) has jumped from 38% to 52%, and multi-partner programs have increased from 16% to 40%. Even more striking, investments have skyrocketed, growing more than fourfold from $2.2 billion in 2023 to $9 billion in 2025. The Guidebook for Landscape Investments highlights 12 case studies that demonstrate how collaborative efforts can drive success, emphasizing the need for holistic financial and technical support for producers.
However, challenges remain. Data collection and reporting are still lagging. While 67% of participants measure carbon impacts in some programs, only 38% report on carbon outcomes. Reporting on soil health, biodiversity, water, and farmer livelihoods is even less comprehensive, revealing gaps in cost-effective monitoring and verification systems. This raises a critical question: How can we ensure transparency and accountability as these initiatives scale?
Voices from the Frontlines
“Business leadership, coupled with inclusive multi-stakeholder collaboration, is key to unlocking the full potential of regenerative landscapes,” said Dan Ioschpe, Climate High-Level Champion for COP30 in Brazil. Nigar Arpadarai, Climate High-Level Champion for COP29 in Azerbaijan, added, “This is not a solo journey; it’s collective action in its fullest sense. Businesses must work hand-in-hand with local partners, governments, investors, and farmers to create landscapes that deliver measurable climate, nature, and social benefits.”
Diane Holdorf, Executive Vice President at WBCSD, emphasized the scale of the transition: “The $9 billion committed by AARL members demonstrates the momentum in agriculture. The next phase will show how this investment can de-risk the transition for farmers.” Shalini Unnikrishnan of BCG highlighted AARL’s unique model: “Its place-based collaboration approach delivers impact at scale, as evidenced by the Landscape Accelerator Brazil.”
Place-Based Acceleration in Brazil: A Case Study
At COP29, AARL launched its first landscape accelerator, the Landscape Accelerator Brazil (LAB), in partnership with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture. Focused on the Cerrado biome and Pará state (Amazon), LAB identifies a $93 billion investment opportunity in restoring pastures and advancing regenerative practices across 50+ million hectares. This could benefit 610,000 farmers with an average 19% internal rate of return. However, de-risking through blended finance is essential to make this opportunity bankable.
In its first year, LAB has made strides in:
- Blended finance: Quantifying the business case and financing stack for scaling regenerative landscapes.
- Harmonized measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV): Developing context-specific metrics and implementation guidance.
- Aligned policy: Identifying four key policy priorities to unlock private sector investment.
By 2026, LAB aims to evolve into a co-investment platform, mobilizing $5 billion by 2030, as outlined in its Action Plan.
Looking Ahead: Global Expansion and Partnerships
AARL’s impact is gaining recognition. In 2024, it was identified as a key mechanism for the UNCCD COP16 Riyadh Action Agenda. Additionally, AARL will partner with the Resilient Agriculture Investment for net-Zero land degradation (RAIZ) accelerator, to be announced by the COP30 Presidency on November 19. The initiative plans to replicate its accelerator blueprint in new regions, starting with India in 2026, and welcomes collaborators from governments, businesses, financiers, producers, civil society, and research organizations.
The Big Question: Can $9 Billion Change the Future of Agriculture?
While the financial commitment is unprecedented, the success of AARL hinges on addressing data transparency, scaling collaborative efforts, and ensuring inclusive benefits for farmers. As these initiatives unfold, one thing is clear: the future of agrifood systems depends on bold action and collective responsibility. What do you think? Is this the game-changer agriculture needs, or are there critical gaps that still need addressing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
