UAE and US climate-smart farming fund grows to $13bn

The UAE and the US have increased investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation to more than $13 billion, said US secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The investments have exceeded the challenge by US special envoy for climate John Kerry at Cop27 to achieve $10 billion by Cop28, Vilsack told the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) summit in Washington, DC, on Monday.

“Climate change continues to impact longstanding agricultural practices in every country and a strong global commitment is necessary to face the challenges of climate change head-on,” he said.

UAE minister for climate and environment Mariam Almheiri said that the Emirates will ensure that Cop28 will be a game changer for food systems.

She reiterated that strengthening national and global food security through sustainable technology and innovation was one of the key strategic pillars of the UAE’s national food security strategy 2051. 

“Through this strategy, the country aims to elevate the entire food value chain and build a sustainable future for all,” the minister added.

The UAE will host the Cop28 climate change conference in November and December this year. 

About $10 billion of the $13 billion of investment in the agricultural fund is from governments, Reuters reported, citing a US Department of Agriculture spokesperson. 

The rest is from non-government parties funding initiatives to support smallholder farmers, emerging technologies and methane reduction, the spokesperson added. 

The AIM for Climate, launched in 2021, achieved commitments of $8 billion last November.