Smart Net-Zero

November 19, 2025 | CGIAR |

8 countries—Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom (UK)—announced support for RAIZ (The Resilient Agriculture Investment for net-Zero land degradation), a Brazil-led finance accelerator designed to scale farmland restoration and climate-resilient agrifood systems. Launched under the COP30 Presidency’s Action Agenda, RAIZ aims to help address an estimated USD 105 billion financing gap for land restoration by mobilizing public and private capital. CGIAR highlighted RAIZ as a platform that links research, policy, and investment, using scientific evidence and strengthened monitoring frameworks to reduce investment risks. The initiative reflects growing interest in blended finance approaches for agriculture and land restoration, though translating political support into measurable outcomes will depend on governance arrangements, project pipelines, and alignment with national development strategies.