“Small and underserved producers are at the frontlines of the worst impacts of climate change around the world. At the same time, there is enormous and growing market demand for agricultural goods that are produced in a sustainable, climate-smart way. Our goal is to expand markets for climate-smart commodities and make sure that small and underserved producers reap the benefits of these market opportunities,” Vilsack said.
International Climate Hub
“As USDA and our partners worldwide invest in new programs and innovations around climate, we recognize that sharing information – on successes, challenges and approaches – can have broad global benefits. A sustained commitment to learning and action among the international community will be critical to accelerating the uptake of proven climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices,” Vilsack said.
As part of USDA’s commitment, Vilsack announced that USDA will establish an International Climate Hub, modeled after USDA’s domestic Climate Hubs, which serve as the premier model for developing and delivering science-based, region-specific information and technologies to U.S. agricultural managers to enable climate-informed decision-making. The International Climate Hub will provide information and resources tailored to specific regions and needs, including a focus on the countries and producers most vulnerable to the effects of global climate change. The Hub will leverage results and innovations generated via USDA’s domestic and international programs and initiatives, including the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities pilot projects.
Global Fertilizer Challenge
Earlier this year, President Biden invited world leaders to join the United States in the Global Fertilizer Challenge, with a goal of raising $100 million in support by COP27. Today, Vilsack joined Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in announcing the United States’ $25 million commitment to the challenge, which includes:
- $20 million for the Fertilize Right initiative, through which USDA will work with governments and local organizations worldwide to advance fertilizer efficiency and nutrient management, starting with Brazil, Colombia, Pakistan and Vietnam.
- $5 million for the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium, to be established by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and implemented in partnership with AIM for Climate, to advance applied research on efficient fertilizer products and practices in collaboration with the private sector.
“Simply put, farmers need nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to grow crops. But lack of access to fertilizer hampers productivity in many low-income countries, while in most major economies more than 50 percent of fertilizer fails to reach the intended crop. The adoption of innovative and efficient fertilizer and cropping practices will alleviate pressure on supplies, lower nitrous oxide emissions and reduce food insecurity globally,” Vilsack said.
Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate
In a series of events focused on the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate, which was launched by the United States and the United Arab Emirates last year at COP26, Vilsack highlighted the initiative’s progress and achievements to date. He also announced that the United States will host the AIM for Climate Summit in Washington May 8-10, 2023, bringing together public- and private-sector partners from around the world to collaborate and further elevate their groundbreaking work on climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.
Vilsack also announced two new USDA contributions to AIM for Climate:
- $5 million for the Enteric Fermentation Research and Development Accelerator, an AIM for Climate innovation sprint led by the Global Methane Hub, to accelerate cost-effective solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions; and
- $5 million for the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium as a component of U.S. support for the Global Fertilizer Challenge (see above).
Pathways to Dairy Net Zero
Recognizing the vital role of sustainably managed livestock and dairy systems in combatting climate change and ensuring food security, Vilsack highlighted USDA’s domestic and international efforts to advance climate-smart dairy production, including:
- Awarding more than $400 million for nine dairy-focused projects under the first round of Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, which will help create additional revenue streams for U.S. dairy producers by developing markets for climate-smart dairy commodities and will help the U.S. dairy sector more effectively monitor, verify and report greenhouse gas reduction benefits.
- Collaborating with the State Department, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the Global Dairy Platform and the International Food Policy Research Institute to help mobilize $1 billion from the Green Climate Fund to accelerate sustainable dairy sector transformation in East Africa, Asia and the Americas as part of Pathways to Dairy Net Zero.
