Guide

The IISD Model Contract Clauses for Responsible Investment in Agriculture

Customizable legal provisions to help implement international best practices, principles, and guidance on responsible agricultural investment.

By Sarah Brewin, Nyaguthii Maina on October 26, 2023
  • The IISD Model Contract Clauses for Responsible Investment in Agriculture represent IISD's vision of comprehensive legal language designed with sustainable development at its core.

  • Robust domestic laws are the best way to govern much-needed investments in agriculture, but sometimes they fall short. IISD's Model Contract Clauses help governments design responsible investment contracts that fill the gaps and advance sustainable development.

  • IISD has distilled international guidance, principles, and best practices on responsible agricultural investment into user-friendly, customizable contract clauses to help policy-makers ensure our agrifood systems can provide adequate food for all.

The IISD Model Contract Clauses for Responsible Investment in Agriculture represent IISD’s vision of comprehensive legal language for an agricultural investment contract that is designed with sustainable development at its core. They distil the body of guidance, principles, and best practices on responsible agricultural investment into user-friendly, customizable contract provisions.

The IISD Model Contract Clauses are intended to support agricultural investment negotiators, state lawyers, and policy-makers to advance their country’s sustainable development objectives through promoting responsible investment in their agriculture and food systems.

The IISD Model Contract Clauses address issues relating to gender and climate change, with cross-cutting provisions designed to reinforce gender equity and to promote a just and equitable transition toward more climate-resilient production practices.

The full suite of model contract provisions is available online. Governments can also download a customizable template, and those seeking support and advice on how to use the IISD Model Clauses can request IISD’s advisory and capacity development services.

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