BAKU: The United States and United Arab Emirates announced that funding for their joint climate-friendly agriculture initiative, the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), has reached $29.2 billion. The announcement was made on Monday at the COP29 climate summit in Baku.
Launched in 2021, AIM for Climate focuses on reducing agriculture’s environmental impact and enhancing resilience against climate change. The program has secured funding from governments, private companies, and non-government organizations to address the climate challenges posed by global food systems, which account for approximately one-third of human-made greenhouse gas emissions.
Rapid Growth in Funding
The program has seen exponential growth in funding, increasing from $8 billion at COP27 to $17 billion at COP28, and now $29.2 billion. The initiative supports nearly 130 projects and over 800 partners globally, focusing on:
- Supporting small-scale farmers.
- Reducing methane emissions in agriculture.
- Advancing research and technology in farming practices.
Call for Sustainable Investment
“We recognize that investment in agricultural research and development has long driven prosperity and resilience,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This has never been more critical as agriculture and food systems face unprecedented challenges.”
The five-year initiative, set to conclude in 2025, reflects a growing global commitment to sustainable farming practices. With its impressive funding and project scope, AIM for Climate serves as a model for addressing climate change through innovation in agriculture.
