Andy Jarvis

The first in-person authors' and Advisory Board meeting of the #RDR2025, Rural Development Report 2025, titled ''Financing for Rural Transformation'' occurred in #Rome this week. On behalf of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as the lead agency, we welcomed the entire team and we spent it discussing, writing and sharing. We are getting ready for launch just before the #FFD summit in Spain in July 2025 (#Financing for Development). So watch this space. Some key things already important/emerging: 1. Despite 3.5 billion (47%) people living in rural areas today, there is almost no data on rural people and rural areas. In 2050, this number will still be large (3 billion!) 2. Despite 80% of the poor (AND 80% of the extremely poor) living in #rural areas, we dont know what we need in terms of financing for basic needs (or for #SDGs). Is this millions or billions or trillions? (Any guesses?) 3. What we dont measure, we dont treasure. 4. So far, a large part of development thinking, has positioned rural areas as subservient to urban ones (the main argument being economies of scale/aggregation). We dont, have any idea what an empowered, strong, thriving rural transformation, could look like. 5. That argument changes dramatically, if we consider that with disaggregated, high frequency, data we can use the high fragmentation, to create ''e-scale economies'': Billions of data points representing lots of agents, helps us hedge, invest, and insure better at the meso/meta level. Suddenly, its actually important to have lots of small disaggregated farms and businesses rather than large ones. Small becomes truly beautiful. 6. Rural areas can be an #investment opportunity, BECAUSE, they have fewer #stranded assets, and there is the opportunity of creating new markets. 7. Rural areas represent the opportunity to re-imagine our future! Rural transformation means areas are PERC (Prosperous, Equitable, Resilient and Connected). Our fantastic advisory board: (In picture) Shenggen Fan, Ana María Ibáñez, Chris Clubb, Lee Ann Jackson, Louise Fox, Patricia Ojangole; We missed Johan Swinnen and @thomas Reardon. Our authors (global/regional): Adolfo Brizzi, @Niklas Kesseler, Joel Moktar, Jan Priebe Narasimhan Srinivasan, Hezekiah Agwara, Randa Hamza, Nick Maddock, Miguel Robles (and their teams), Nadia Martinez, MBA, Saib Ahmad, Alexia Ipiotis Mikhail Kourenkov and myself. We have excellent support (physical, academic, mental and in spirit and in humor) from Dr. Alvaro Lario, Gerardine Mukeshimana, Constanza Di Nucci, Alessandra Garbero, Rick Van Der Kamp, Gulnara Yunusova, Claudia ten Have, Malek Sahli, Stephanie Micallef, Caterina Firova, Alexandra Enascut, Federica Cerulli Irelli, @Ronald Hartman and many others. Special thanks to EIIS - European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability and Andrea Geremicca for their stewardship. It takes a village.

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The Central American Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy (EASAC) strategy of targeting non-binding regional governance to influence national governments is inherently limited and may be ineffective on its own, find Fanny Howland, jean francois LE COQ, Sara Estefanía Collazos Acosta, Jose Arana, Genowefa Blundo Canto, Andrea Castellanos and Deissy Martínez-Barón (CIAT, CIRAD). Climate policy implementation in Central America depends on a range of factors: 1️⃣ International cooperation 2️⃣ Intersectoral and actor coordination 3️⃣ Availability of technical and research expertise 4️⃣ Research input Read below ⤵

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In collaboration with the Bogotá Ornithology Association (ABO) and the Antioquia Ornithology Society (SAO), Florverde is facilitating comprehensive bird surveys across 28 flower farms. This partnership underscores our dedication to advancing conservation practices and improving habitat conditions for birds. The updated study will address key issues such as the conservation of seven restricted or endemic species, including the critically endangered Spotted Rail. By working together with local ornithology experts, we aim to ensure that flower farms continue to support and protect vital avian populations. Read the whole ASOCOLFLORES article here: https://lnkd.in/eaFXqAc4 #Ornithology #BirdConservation #FlorverdeSustainableFlowers #FSF #HabitatProtection #Biodiversity #AvianResearch #SustainableAgriculture #EndemicSpecies #BirdSurveys #ConservationPartnership #SpottedRail #CollaborativeConservation #EcosystemHealth #Asocolflores

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Today at COP16 Colombia, the annual 10 New Insights in Climate Science report has been released, providing a synthesis of climate research published over the past 18 months.   Developed by Future Earth, ASU College of Global Futures, World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and The Earth League this pivotal report brings together the latest findings in climate research from over 80 top climate scientists.    The report equips policymakers with 18-months’ worth of pivotal climate research and policy insights, to inform negotiations ahead of #COP29 and ensure that the right decisions are made.   This year’s top 10 Insights cover: 💨  Tackling rising methane levels 🌫️  The climate implications of reduced air pollution 🔥  Increasing heat making more of the planet uninhabitable 👶  Climate extremes harming maternal and reproductive well-being  🌊  The devastating global impacts of ocean changes  🌿  Biocultural diversity bolstering the Amazon’s resilience against climate change 🏗️  The vulnerability of critical infrastructure 🏙️  The challenges for climate-resilient development in cities ⛏️  Governance gap and competition for energy transition minerals ⚖️  Fairness, acceptance and resistance of climate policies   To advance meaningful #ClimateAction, synthesis reports like this one which arm policymakers with not just information but policy-led solutions, are essential. That’s why working alongside these organisations on critical reports that can inform COP29 Azerbaijan negotiations is paramount to us, at Browning.   To learn more about our client’s world-leading research, visit: https://lnkd.in/dYQS7Ji5 Peter Schlosser Dr. Jemilah Mahmood Pep Canadell Joyashree Roy #10ClimateInsights #10Insights #EnvironmentalCommunications #COP16

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Great to see this level of commitment to such an important and evolving topic. Carbon calculations in the coffee sector are not yet an exact science, requiring an enormous amount of data and careful analysis. It would be helpful to see future reports include research into the role that organic farming and agroforestry play in reducing coffee's carbon footprint.

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USAID can support a transformational shift to a climate-resilient, net-zero agrifood system by: 🔵 Halting commodity-driven deforestation 🔵 Integrating perennials into land systems 🔵 Adopting landscape and jurisdictional governance approaches 🔵 Catalyzing systems change Learn more about each of these practices in our new blog: https://lnkd.in/e8rt92zd

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🌎 GEO BON EVENT at #COP16Colombia: - CENTERING BIODIVERSITY IN UNITED STATES POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS - This panel will provide an overview of new U.S. policies aimed at prioritizing biodiversity in conservation and management. We’ll cover key developments, such as the first-ever National Nature Assessment and National Ocean Biodiversity Strategy, which adopt an inclusive, cross-sector approach to protecting ecosystems. These efforts underscore the U.S.'s commitment to conserving natural resources and addressing global biodiversity challenges. By sharing findings, methodologies, and best practices with the international community, the U.S. aims to promote a unified global effort in biodiversity assessment and conservation. Speakers: - Tony Fernandes, U.S. Department of State (welome) - Emmett Duffy, Smithsonian Institution - Elizabeth McLanahan, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - Francisco Chavez, MBARI - Tessa Francis, U.S. Global Change Research Program - Emma Heslop, UNESCO (Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)). ⏰ When: Oct 22nd, 10:00 -11:30 📍Where: AI2 | GEO | GEO BON Pavilion 📅 Add to your calendar 👉 https://lnkd.in/eWg2Yz5i

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🚨 🚨 New Study in Nature - npj Climate Action: Big congrats to Daniela Mejía Tejada and the whole team! You guys are absolute rockstars!!! 🎤 🎸 🎹 🎷 🎻 🥁🎸 Unveiling the Puzzling Link Between Credit, Cattle, and Colombian Forests Did you know access to credit for cattle production can have an unexpected impact on cattle inventory and Colombian forests? Our research delves into the fascinating world of Colombian cattle ranching and its connection to deforestation. We analyzed data from 2011-2020, uncovering some surprising results: • Spatial Spillover: Domino Effect Across Regions: Cattle production in one department can influence production in neighboring areas! This "domino effect" highlights the interconnectedness of agricultural practices. Deforestation: Not Just About Cattle: While cattle ranching plays a role, coca cultivation also contributes to forest loss. The study emphasizes the importance of credit reorientation toward sustainability. • A Double-Edged Sword Between Credit and Cattle: Several game variables affect the impact of credit on livestock productivity, which might go up or down. While larger producers are expected to keep expanding thanks to existing credit institutional arrangements, smaller loans for smallholder farmers may not be enough to expand herds. This research sheds light on the complex interplay between financial resources, livestock management, and environmental well-being. It paves the way for designing more sustainable credit programs for Colombian cattle ranchers, ultimately protecting valuable forests. 📢 Enjoy the full study here: https://lnkd.in/e4gsWP_F #Colombia #CattleRanching #Deforestation #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateAction

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The level of engagement in preparation for this Biodiversity COP #COP16Colombia has seen an enormous groundswell and I am hopeful for BIG outcomes on financing for: 🎯- Targets 18 and 19 🌍 - South-South-North discussions 🐘 - 30x30 financing 💚 - showcasing sustainable finance innovations from around the world, but of course putting a spotlight on Africa! (And hopefully some birding to enjoy Colombia’s amazing biodiversity! 🔭) Sustainable Finance Coalition IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)

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What can agricultural land contribute to protecting biodiversity? In this issue of From the Ground Up, American Farmland Trust's Caro Roszell, and farm and forest policy consultant (and an editor of From the Ground Up) Brian Donahue, investigate this question, shining a light on the rise and fall of the populations of bobolink and other grassland birds in New England. They examine the factors contributing to their significant decline and provide hopeful pathways forward that could be a boon for both the region’s food systems and its biodiversity. With the rise of twentieth century industrial agriculture and suburban development, the farmland habitat for most grassland birds was greatly reduced. On the farmland that remained, earlier and more frequent hay cuttings improved the quality of the hay but degraded the habitat. Sadly, many hayfields now function as ecological sinks, attracting grassland birds to nest and then destroying nestlings before they can fly. Roszell and Donahue present a promising paradigm for farmers and wildlife to support each other. They write, “A rebirth of New England grass farming, after more than a century of decline, could yield multiple benefits: new opportunities for farmers and an increasing regional food supply; improved soil health, carbon storage, and resilience; and real biological conservation value from our farmland.” Read their thoughts and suggestions on how simple adjustments to hay cutting and grazing practices can be the pathway to an avian-agrarian partnership that will make habitats healthier for all species, human and wild. https://buff.ly/4emf5Wd #conservation #newengland #northeast #landconservation #wwfc #environment #biodiversity ##bobolink #agriculture #farming #grassland #grasslandbirds

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Great to see this paper published in Climate Policy Journal, that I co-wrote with research teams Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Bogor Agricultural University, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, COPPE / UFRJ that participate in the Deep Decarbonization Pathways initiative. 🌳Agriculture, forest and other land use (AFOLU) plays a key role for mitigation in Brazil, India and Indonesia, and can also help reach multiple other sustainable development goals (SDGs), such as no poverty, zero hunger, and life on land. 🌽Mitigation in AFOLU is only possible when trade-offs with these objectives are well managed by policy ➡️ mitigation in agriculture and via dietary changes is challenging in 🇧🇷 🇮🇳 & 🇮🇩 - and further research is needed to identify opportunities relevant to emerging economies. 🌲However, reducing net emissions from forests and land use hold great potential in in LULUCF in 🇧🇷 🇮🇳 & 🇮🇩, including in the short-term by 2030. 🌻Strengthened agricultural resilience to climate change is required to achieve the yield increases necessary to meet growing demand for food, feed, fibre and carbon sequestration in the Brazilian, Indian and Indonesian pathways. 📜Achieving mitigation, strengthened resilience and yield increases simultaneously require requires comprehensive, context-specific policy packages. Some common cornerstones include incentives to land managers for conservation or more environmental agricultural practices; changing regulations of land use to protect ecosystems and/or encourage shifts in agricultural practices; and strengthening enforcement capacity of land protection. Thanks to Vidhee Avashia, Rizaldi Boer, Dr. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi, Michele Cotta Walter, Carolina Burle Schmidt Dubeux, Gito Immanuel, Emilio Lebre La Rovere, Omkar Patange, Annuri Rossita and Saritha Sudharmma Vishwanathan for the great collaboration!

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Check out this new study by Shuntian Wang and Stephan Pfister which investigates the biodiversity impacts of cocoa farming in Côte d'Ivoire using advanced earth observations, enhanced biodiversity models, and detailed supply chain data. Key findings reveal that detailed spatial analysis has pinpointed biodiversity impact hotspots, with cocoa cultivation responsible for 44% of regional biodiversity impacts—over 90% of which are linked to exports. The top 10 importing countries alone account for 84% of these impacts. Interestingly, agroforestry systems aren't always more biodiversity-friendly than full-sun cocoa, particularly in high-biodiversity areas. Also the necessity for greater supply chain transparency to effectively mitigate these impacts is been highlighted. 🔗 Read the full publication here: u.ethz.ch/AJpdZ More about SWISSCHAINS: u.ethz.ch/JuCkk Chair of Ecological Systems Design (ESD), ETH Zürich | EU BIOTRAILS | ETH Zürich | Thomas Bernauer | Tobias Schmidt | Cedric Bolli | Dietmar Huber

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🌍 Exploring a Decade of Impact with the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI)! 🌍 We're excited to share the latest insights from the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI) side event at #COP16Colombia. The event covered FERI's journey since its establishment by the Republic of Korea and the CBD Secretariat at COP12 in 2014, focusing on how FERI has supported developing countries in advancing forest restoration and biodiversity targets. Over the past decade, FERI has provided critical support in: 🌱 Building capacity and knowledge-sharing for effective forest restoration, 🔍 Developing decision-support tools tailored to national needs, 📈 Advancing forest-related goals within the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). ➡️ Read more: https://lnkd.in/dcjani3C #FERI #ForestRestoration #GenerationRestoration #BiodiversityConservation #SustainableForests #KMGBF #GlobalGoals #COP16 #EcosystemRestoration

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🌍🌿 Exciting Collaboration on REDD+ Submission! 🌿🌎 In the framework of the "11th REDD+ Technical Assessment of Proposed Forest Levels" under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Oswaldo Carrillo from the SilvaCarbon LACC team collaborated as a national expert with five technical staff members from Belize's Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management. In the context of this activity, valuable feedback was provided for Belize's Forest Reference Level (FRL) submission to the UNFCCC in 2024. This ongoing collaboration aims to enhance Belize’s submissions in line with COP decisions for REDD+ and IPCC guidelines. 🌳📈 Check out the document here: https://lnkd.in/eUjdptmk  #REDDPlus #ClimateAction #Forestry #SustainableDevelopment #SilvaCarbon #UNFCCC #Collaboration #ClimateChange #Belize #IPCC Photo credits: UNFCCC

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The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) represents an opportunity for the world to set on a path to live in harmony with nature and ensure the achievement of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity: 1. conservation of biodiversity 2. sustainable use of biodiversity 3. fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources.

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Agricultural commodity expansion into natural and semi-natural ecosystems in Asia is a multi-dimensional sustainability challenge posing a threat to natural and human capital. This just released paper identifies key aspects that require further attention to address the negative impacts of commodity-driven agricultural expansion in the Asian tropics. Read the paper: https://bit.ly/3ziAz7F Jagdish Krishnaswamy, Sheetal Patil, Indira Singh, Manan Bhan, Anushka Rege, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Zhejiang University, Westlake University #IIHS #IIHS_Publications #SustainableAgriculture 

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Today, we released a new issue brief with Foreign Policy, called "Climate-Resilient Agriculture as a Force Multiplier for Climate and Development Goals." Read it here: https://brnw.ch/21wMWew.   This brief explores how climate-resilient agriculture can drive effective climate action towards food security and nutrition. By focusing on soil and water management and integrating farmer perspectives with broader systems, we can maximize impact. However, there’s a significant funding gap that needs addressing. Governments, institutions, and the private sector must prioritize this approach to tackle climate change and achieve development goals.   Want to learn more about this? If you’re attending #UNGA79, join CRS at the Food+Forum side event on September 26 to explore how to build resilient, secure global food systems in the face of climate change, regional conflicts and more. Register here: https://brnw.ch/21wMLcx.

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