COP28: US-UAE climate-friendly farming effort grows to $17 billion

COP28: US-UAE climate-friendly farming effort grows to $17 billion

People walk at the Dubai's Expo City during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. — Reuters

Published: Sat 9 Dec 2023, 9:30 PM

Funding for a joint effort by the United States and the UAE to advance climate-friendly farming around the world has grown to more than $17 billion, the countries announced on Friday at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.

The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) was launched in 2021 at COP26 in Glasgow and its funding comes from governments, companies, and non-governmental organisations.

Globally, food and farming contribute about a third of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Nearly 80 projects have been announced under the AIM for Climate initiative since 2021, with goals to expand agricultural research, implement sustainable farming practices, and reduce methane emissions.

"This partnership embodies our shared commitment to accelerating investments in transformative food systems and climate-smart agricultural innovations," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement.

Funding for the effort has grown from $13 billion in May, when the US and UAE co-hosted an AIM for Climate summit in Washington, and from $8 billion at COP27.

The new total includes $12 billion from governments and $5 billion from non-government