Vilsack advocates climate leadership in Ag

USDA's climate initiatives spotlighted at COP29

At the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), Secretary Tom Vilsack presented the Administration’s progress on climate-smart agriculture and forestry, showcasing the significant strides made under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Vilsack emphasized the doubling of support for conservation practices and the creation of new markets for climate-smart commodities.

"Farmers, ranchers, and foresters in the U.S. and across the world have experienced the increasing destruction caused by natural disasters," Vilsack noted, advocating for robust tools to build resilience against climate change.

The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities have directed over $3 billion since 2022 to support sustainable farming practices across more than five million acres, demonstrating the USDA's commitment to expanding climate-smart agriculture.

In addition, the AIM for Climate initiative, launched in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, has become a pivotal platform for global investment in agricultural innovation, with the U.S. contributing over $4 billion to foster low-carbon agricultural technologies.

These initiatives reflect USDA’s ongoing efforts to integrate climate considerations into all facets of agricultural production and market development, ensuring that U.S. agriculture remains at the forefront of global efforts to combat climate change.

Vilsack’s discussions U.S. Center at COP 29 are set to reinforce international collaborations and encourage further investments in climate-smart agriculture.