How business and investment pioneers are transforming forest and food supply chains

A series of case studies demonstrating ‘business unusual’ – alternative economic models that challenge existing power dynamics. These examples show how forest stewards and farm smallholders can organise themselves and their finance in ways that work for the benefit of people, nature and climate.

A growing number of businesses and investors working within forest and agriculture supply chains are finding alternatives to the current dominant – and deeply flawed – economic models. These new models have the potential to transform business in these sectors, for the benefit of people, nature and climate.

Three commonly adopted approaches are:

  • Building trust and social capital
  • Nurturing holistic learning relationships, and
  • Embracing a wide range of social, environmental and economic objectives.

These inspiring case studies show that it is possible to progress from ‘business-as-usual’ to ‘business unusual’ by adopting practices that embrace complexity and that challenge existing business and investment structures and power dynamics. 

The case studies are collected in a new report, ‘Business unusual: how business and investment pioneers are transforming forest and food supply chains’, which also includes recommendations for supporting these new ways of working.

The case studies were produced as part of the ‘Nature nurture’ project, which sees IIED working with smallholder farmers in Indonesia, the Philippines and Tanzania to address biodiversity loss and enhance global production systems for improved livelihoods and climate resilience.