Case study #18: Reorienting finance to support farmers in promoting food systems adaptation and resilience

Headline: Financing a forest-positive future: Transitioning to sustainable cattle, soy and bioeconomy production

Context: Reducing deforestation and promoting sustainable agricultural production are essential for protecting ecosystems, mitigating climate change, and building resilient agricultural systems in South America’s critical biomes.

Partners: TFA, UNEP, TNC
Duration: Launched in 2021 and ongoing
Location: Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco. Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

Impact Achieved:

• 116,156 hectares of natural ecosystems protected through legal compliance and 19,087 hectares protected beyond legal requirements

• 739 hectares undergoing ecological restoration

• 91,783 hectares of already cleared pasture converted into soy production

• 4,215 hectares dedicated to sustainably intensified beef cattle production

Description
IFACC aims to secure $10 billion in commitments and $1 billion in disbursements by 2025 to support sustainable agricultural practices in the Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco. By collaborating with companies, banks, and investors, IFACC promotes sustainable business models for soy, beef and bioeconomy that expand production without the need for further land conversion, focusing on expanding agriculture onto already-cleared lands. By October 2024, IFACC had grown to include 22 signatories, encompassing financial institutions and agribusiness value chain companies. IFACC is driving significant shifts towards deforestation-free practices, protecting ecosystems, and restoring native vegetation, thereby fostering resilient, nature-positive economies in South America.

More info here and here.

The Food Systems Call to Action is a global initiative that urges non-state actors and governments to take immediate steps to transform food systems by 2030. It highlights the urgent need for resilient, sustainable, and equitable approaches that support food security, protect nature, and address climate change. Through targeted actions and principles, the Call to Action emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity—ensuring that farmers, frontline workers, Indigenous communities, and other key players are at the forefront of decision-making and implementation.