Sustainable Food: Innovating at the Intersection of Climate and Agriculture
As the links between climate change and food security become increasingly urgent, the question is no longer whether to act but how to innovate. At responsAbility, we view this challenge as an opportunity—a call to rethink the agricultural landscape by investing in sustainability, resilience, and equity. With this vision in mind, we launched the first Climate-Smart Agriculture investment solution, which focuses on environmental sustainability and supports smallholder farmers1 and promotes the empowerment of women, who are often most affected by these challenges.
The Fund partners with donors who finance the Fund’s Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), advancing climate resilience and gender-inclusive agricultural practices through innovative, grant-funded projects. These projects address critical knowledge gaps in areas such as climate risk assessments, ESG integration, climate-smart agriculture, and gender equity. Through capacity building, portfolio companies are empowered to adopt best practices, meet regulatory and market expectations, and foster sustainable, inclusive growth.

The imperative for climate-smart agriculture
The global food system is both an economic cornerstone and a vital lifeline for billions of people. It is, however, at a critical juncture: Agriculture currently contributes more than one-third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while remaining among the sectors most vulnerable to climate change.2 In emerging markets, where agriculture often forms the backbone of the economy and employs much of the population, the stakes are particularly high. These regions are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and without intervention, the consequences could be severe. Yet, within this challenge lies a profound opportunity. By transitioning to climate-smart agricultural practices, we can contribute to addressing the sector's environmental footprint while simultaneously enhancing its resilience to climate-related shocks. Climate-smart agriculture not only reduces emissions and increases climate resilience but also fosters biodiversity, improves soil health, optimizes water use, and helps to create sustainable livelihoods for farming communities.
Smallholder farmers
80%
Smallholders, who represent around 80% of all farms globally, are vital contributors to global food production and security.
GHG emissions
33%
Food systems currently contribute to more than 1/3 of global GHG emissions.
Food production
50%
Women produce half of the world’s food yet don’t receive the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
The butterfly effect of investing in gender equality
Women are central to global food production, contributing up to 80% of food in developing economies and nearly half of the world’s total.3 However, despite their critical role, they often face barriers such as limited access to land, markets, and education.4 Studies suggest that if women had the same access to resources as men, farm yields could increase by 20–30%, potentially reducing the global number of people exposed to hunger by 100-150 million.5 Our strategy emphasizes gender equity, ensuring women have the tools and opportunities to take leadership in climate-smart agriculture. By addressing these disparities, we aim to boost productivity and resilience across entire communities. Through the technical assistance facility, advisory projects were designed for portfolio companies whereby gender experts were onboarded to identify barriers to women's participation in their business operations. The resulting action plans focus on refining human resources policies, targeted capacity building, and enhancing access to resources while providing specialized training to female farmers.
The three pillars of climate-smart agriculture
Climate change mitigation Agriculture is a major source of GHG emissions, but it also holds immense potential for mitigation. Practices such as no-till farming, cover cropping, organic farming, and agroforestry can significantly reduce emissions.6 Investments in renewable energy and energy-efficient farming operations can further reduce the sector's carbon footprint while fostering economic development and job creation.
Climate change adaptation Adaptation measures in agriculture are crucial for enhancing resilience against the adverse impacts of climate change, especially in emerging markets where climate risks pose a direct threat to food security and rural livelihoods. These measures include developing and implementing climate-resilient crop varieties, optimizing water use efficiency, and adopting soil conservation practices. Additionally, investments in early warning systems and climate risk insurance help provide vital protections for farmers, mitigating the financial impact of climate-induced losses.
Sustainable production and consumption To meet the nutritional demands of a global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 20507, it is essential to integrate sustainable natural resource management with farming practices that support ecosystem services. Solutions include recycling agriculture waste, reducing supply chain losses, and optimizing storage infrastructure. Additionally, practices such as precision agriculture, integrated pest management, and efficient warehousing & transportation help reduce environmental impact while boosting food output.
Science as the foundation for innovation
To ensure effective and localized impact, we anchored our investment solution in scientific research. Our partnership with CGIAR, a leading global research organization, ensures that our investments are informed by the latest scientific insights and are tailored to address specific regional and crop-related challenges. This collaboration, funded through the technical assistance facility, allows us to refine our strategy continuously, ensuring that it remains effective and relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Beyond the Numbers
In our 2024 impact report, we connect the dots between the numbers and the narratives, explaining the meaning behind key impact indicators and sharing the personal stories that bring them to life. Dive into the latest insights from our in-house experts on Climate Finance, Financial Inclusion, and Sustainable Food, and enjoy an exclusive interview with the Chairman of the Board at SIFEM.
1 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations 2 Food systems account for more than one third of global greenhouse gas emissions (fao.org) 3 Women produce up to 80% of food in developing countries (fao.org) 4 Securing Women’s Land Rights for Increased Gender Equality, Food Security and Economic Empowerment (un.org) 5 Closing the gender gap in agriculture (fao.org) 6 Food systems account for more than one third of global greenhouse gas emissions (fao.org) 7 Population (un.org)

Suhasini Singh
Head of Sustainable Food Debt
Suhasini Singh is Head of Sustainable Food Debt at responsAbility. With over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, she has extensive expertise in lending, cross-border investments and international markets. Suhasini has managed private debt portfolios focused on financial institutions and food and agribusiness companies in emerging markets. Her track record includes conducting due diligence in over 10 countries and originating over USD 500 million in investments. Suhasini studied Business Administration and Management, equipping her with the skills to drive impactful financial solutions in the sustainable food sector.