Investment instruments in treaties on SDGs 2 (zero hunger) and 6 (water)

This chapter outlines the interlinkages between international investment law and sustainable development goals (SDGs) 2 (zero hunger) and 6 (water). It identifies a need to accelerate investment in food and water infrastructure via both public and private investment. While the authors identify some IIA provisions designed to increase the flow of responsible investments related to these SDGs, they also identify gaps to responsible investment in the current State-centric approach to IIAs, including ambiguous and lopsided IIAs, weak stakeholder engagement in the elaboration of IIAs, and ineffective implementation of impact assessment processes. They also discuss the need to increase cross-sectoral engagement (e.g., trade and investment experts coordinating with agriculture, water, and other environmental experts). In short, this chapter recognizes that due care must be taken to adequately integrate responsible investment principles relating to environmental, social and human rights protections in IIAs.