At the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties last week, United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack underscored the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s support for President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to combating climate change and creating good-paying jobs and economic growth in the U.S.
At meetings and events throughout the conference, Secretary Vilsack highlighted USDA partnerships and initiatives that put agriculture, forestry, and rural communities at the center of global solutions to the climate crisis.
“Climate change is happening, and it threatens to disrupt our food systems, worsen food insecurity, and negatively impact the livelihoods of our agricultural producers,” Vilsack said in a statement. “Now is the time for global action. Together, we can lead the way with investments in climate-smart solutions that improve the profitability and resilience of agricultural producers, and improve forest health, while creating new income opportunities and building wealth that stays in rural communities.”
After President Biden joined leaders from the United Arab Emirates in officially launching the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate on Nov. 2, Secretary Vilsack participated in numerous events to coalesce support for the landmark initiative.
“USDA is proud to be one of the U.S. government agencies spearheading this global effort to accelerate investment in innovative, science-based solutions to increase food security and help agriculture and food systems mitigate and adapt to climate change. By catalyzing greater public and private investment and cross-sectoral partnerships, AIM for Climate will lead to rapid and transformative climate action across the world,” he said.
Nearly 80 countries and non-government partners have joined in support and AIM for Climate has garnered $4 billion in increased investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation, with the U.S. mobilizing $1 billion over the next five years.
Vilsack also highlighted USDA’s Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Partnership Initiative, which will connect agricultural producers who are implementing climate-smart practices with retailers, companies, and consumers who are demanding low-carbon agricultural commodities; and an initiative to help accelerate climate action in the global dairy sector, bringing together organizations throughout the dairy supply chain and dairy farms of every size and type around the world to collectively achieve net zero emissions in the next 30 years.
Related: USDA Dedicates Funding to Address Food, Nutrition Insecurity; Bezos Earth Fund Pledges $2 Billion to Restore Food Systems, Nature.