Applications Open: Virtual Executive Training on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture

"Investments in land for agriculture from both international and domestic investors have the potential to support sustainable development. Yet, if investments and the legal frameworks that govern them are not structured carefully and equitably, these projects can cause significant social and environmental degradation and further exacerbate climate change. These opportunities and risks will be heightened as demand for agricultural land increases and host nations around the world seek to attract greater levels of investment."

"Actors in the public, private and civil society sectors who are concerned with sustainable development confront multiple challenges in shaping international investment in agriculture to achieve desired outcomes. These challenges include developing robust legal and fiscal frameworks, negotiating equitable deals, mitigating climate and environmental impacts, and protecting human rights. The 2026 Executive Training on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture, hosted by the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment ( CCSI), will address these issues and more."

Investments in agricultural land from international and domestic investors can support sustainable development but also risk causing social and environmental degradation and exacerbating climate change if legal frameworks and deals are not carefully and equitably structured. Demand for agricultural land and efforts by host nations to attract investment increase these opportunities and risks. Public, private, and civil society actors face challenges such as developing robust legal and fiscal frameworks, negotiating equitable deals, mitigating environmental and climate impacts, and protecting human rights. The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment will hold a virtual Executive Training May 11–20, 2026, offering interdisciplinary instruction, practical skills, live sessions, peer dialogue, rolling applications through March 13, 2026, with fee waivers for eligible civil society and government participants and a USD $500 fee otherwise.

Read at State of the Planet