The United States and the UAE have launched an initiative to channel funding into making agriculture resilient to climate change and to cut its emissions.
Using the platform of the COP26 conference in Glasgow, both the countries introduced the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), raising $4 billion in funds.
The AIM for Climate’s statement said that being on the frontline of severe weather, farming is responsible for nearly a quarter of all climate-warming emissions.
The representatives from the European, Asian and African have also agreed to increase public and private investment in “climate-smart agriculture”. More than 30 countries and 40 NGOs have so far shown their support to AIM.
US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the climate crisis threatens to disrupt food systems around the world, worsening food insecurity and negatively impacting farmers’ livelihoods. He said that there was a need for investment to help the industry adopt a suitable environment.
The farming industry in the United States is facing the effects of climate change, including unpredictable weather and increased drought and flooding.
The current funds, which are controlled by the individual governments, will be used to drive research into cutting agricultural emissions and promoting biodiversity.
Meanwhile, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged $315 million to the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers, which will be used to help small farmers adapt.
The United Arab Emirates, which has offered to host climate talks in 2023, has grown rich from its oil revenues, but has also developed technology to improve food yields from its largely desert territory.
