TACKLING hunger and food insecurity remain major development priorities, made worse by climate change, price volatility in globalised food markets and over-consumption in wealthy countries. Existing agriculture and food systems are central to sustaining poor people’s livelihoods and are technically capable of producing adequate food for all, but according to reports published by the (International Institute for Environment and Development) IIED, they place major stress on environmental assets including soils, water, fisheries and biodiversity.

Post-2015 MDG goals and agendas need to support a transformation of food systems to make them more productive, environmentally sustainable and resilient while preserving and enhancing these livelihood benefits.

On how to stimulate quality investment in sustainable energy for all the paper noted that governments and donor-countries are looking to the private sector to help generate the US$1 trillion of additional investment required to achieve universal energy access by 2030.

Crowd funding is an exciting new way to link individual investors to local projects. Governments and donors still have key roles to play in leveraging investment and stimulating the market. More demonstration and validation of innovative business models will increase investor confidence. Ultimately, better energy access should lead to better health, livelihoods and resilience — a key aim of ‘quality investment’.

The report which also dwell on future urban poor groups needs as well as addressing inequalities and governance post-2015, stated that successful urban centres provide advantages for private enterprises, but economic success does not, of itself, reduce poverty or address unmet needs. Many prosperous cities in low and middle-income nations have one third or more of their population living in informal settlements on inadequate incomes, with very high infant, child and maternal mortality rates and high levels of under-nutrition.

Yet most international agencies have ignored urban poverty. Achieving this, the reports says it will require more effective and accountable city and municipal governments that support post-2015 goals. This also implies new funding structures that support local government and local civil society to play their part in the process.

As the Millennium Development Goals transition to new Sustainable Development Goals, international agencies can improve their reach and impact in cities by integrating support for local funds into their aid programmes.