INTELLIGENT
GREEN TECHNOLOGY
US and UAE set to launch new global initiative for climatesmart agriculture
T he governments of the United States and the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) announced the launch of the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate ( AIM for Climate ) during the World Leaders ’ Summit at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference ( COP26 ) in Glasgow on November 2nd , 2021 with other high-level events taking place with senior government leaders on November , 5th , 2021 at the UAE Pavilion , COP26 and on November , 6th , 2021 at US Centre , COP26 .
AIM for Climate was jointly previewed in April 2021 by U . S . President Joe Biden and the UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at President Biden ’ s Leaders ’ Summit on Climate . It has since garnered the support of over 30 countries , the United Nations ’ Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .
AIM for Climate will mark the first major global initiative of its kind to catalyse greater investments in climate-smart agriculture ( CSA ) and global food systems innovation to enhance resilience in the often-overlooked agricultural sector to climate change impacts and create cobenefits of climate action . It is supported by a diverse and influential coalition of over 70 partners who will drive the initiative ’ s cause over the next five years ( 2021 – 2025 ).
Agriculture is a major part of the current climate challenge , contributing to about 25 % of all greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions . Food security is also under pressure as the world ’ s growing population is increasingly dependent on climate-vulnerable food production . Although the agriculture sector is recognised as a major contributor to the climate change problem , there has been limited investment in the sector .
Despite this , CSA and food systems innovation can be part of the solution to addressing climate change , as envisioned by AIM for Climate . Greater investments in CSA and food systems innovation will help inform science-based , data-driven decision-making and policies and achieve breakthroughs and enhancements in technologies and approaches that adapt food production to the world ’ s harsher climate .
AIM for Climate endeavours to create a positive multiplier effect for people and the planet across agriculture , food and climate by reducing global GHG emissions ; creating efficiencies to build agriculture ’ s resilience to the impact of climate change ; bolstering food security and improving farmer livelihoods and the ecosystems they rely on , especially for women , children and indigenous populations , by helping to generate higher economic returns and job creation in a sector that already employs over 2 billion people .
The initiative adopts a multistakeholder approach to cooperation , uniting public and private participation to spur agricultural innovation through investments and knowledge-sharing . Target areas of innovation include sustainable productivity improvements , land , water , carbon and other input use efficiency ; resilient crop and livestock production , enhanced digital tools ; and inclusive , equitable , and sustainable and secure food systems . •
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