Our agriculture system accounts for 38% of terrestrial land use.i If managed regeneratively, the sector holds promise for achieving WWF’s bold conservation goals. Conversely, the industry is responsible for 80% of global deforestation, 29% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 70% of freshwater consumption, and 70% of terrestrial biodiversity loss.ii There is critical work to be done to increase farmworker safety and improve farm economic viability. It is an immense sector with complex operations and nuanced supply chains.
Regenerative agriculture offers an alternative. This holistic approach to food production can create social benefits, improve livelihoods and community vibrancy, and foster increased planetary health. Furthermore, regenerative production is critical for advancing WWF’s goals of ending natural habitat loss, stopping the extinction of species, and halving the footprint of consumption and production.
We believe investors may have overlooked some of the opportunities in agriculture that offer the biggest environmental and social returns. This is in part because agricultural technologies often have longer iteration cycles and smaller margins than the type of companies that traditional venture capitalists prefer. In 2022, only 14% of agrifood sector investment went to on-farm innovations.iii In order to reach its full potential for mitigating climate change and fostering adaptive resilience in food systems, agriculture needs more investors with patient capital and mission-first investment theses. These neglected spaces offer significant possibilities for reducing GHGs, stopping deforestation and land conversion, and improving farmer and farmworker livelihoods.
WWF Impact’s regenerative agriculture portfolio targets farm innovations that reduce agricultural production’s contribution to climate change and promote more environmentally, economically, and socially resilient farms. With a focus on high-potential spaces, WWF Impact is specifically interested in tools that address livestock feed, manure management, and farmworker welfare. Technologies that are climate adaptive and improve productivity for international producers, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean, are also a focus. Across the board, we are committed to investing in companies that empower small- and medium-sized farmers who might lack affordable access to traditional agricultural advancements.
