Top: Images courtesy Littlefoot Ventures

Littlefoot Ventures, a Colorado-based consultancy with a mission to “amplify and accelerate strategies that combat the climate crisis through food system transformation,” released an Insights Report in July that shines a spotlight on the need for targeted funding for the food systems sector in the global fight against climate change. “Food systems are responsible for 34% of global GHG emissions but receive only a tiny fraction of climate finance — just 2.5% of public funds and 7% of philanthropic giving,” states Eva Goulbourne, Founder & CEO of Littlefoot Ventures. “This report argues that current funding levels are far too low to meet the scale and urgency of food systems transformation and makes the case for using blended finance to unlock more capital. By combining public, private, and philanthropic investments, blended finance can reduce investor risk, mobilize catalytic capital, and accelerate solutions that improve sustainability, resilience, and nutrition across global food systems.”

Beyond Energy: Why Food Systems Are The Next Essential Focus For Blended Finance examines how the money flows today and where it needs to shift to deliver the most impact. For example, notes the Report, “Climate finance is misaligned with food systems impact. Most funding supports conventional practices, while high-impact solutions like regenerative agriculture and food waste reduction remain severely underfunded. [Further], venture capital overlooks long-term food system transformation.” Download the Insights Report at this link.