AIM for climate seeks to double investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation by COP27

Global initiative hosts its first ministerial meeting at Expo 2020 Dubai, outlining priorities and plans for COP27.

The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), a global initiative led by the UAE and the US with the support of over 140 government and non-government partners, announced a new target to raise investment commitments from $4 billion, pledged upon its launch in 2021, to $8 billion by the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The ambitious investment goal was announced at AIM for Climate’s first Ministerial Meeting, held at Expo 2020 Dubai, where government partners discussed the initiative’s priorities and plans for COP27. At the meeting, AIM for Climate welcomed the newest partners Chile, Costa Rica, Egypt, the European Commission, Guyana, Mozambique, and Turkey to its coalition, announced AIM for Climate Ideations, a new cooperation opportunity for partners, and 2022 focal areas for innovation sprints to be launched at COP27.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Agriculture and food systems offer immense opportunities for global climate action. By catalysing innovation in climate-smart agriculture, we can reduce harmful emissions and sequester carbon in the sector, sustainably increase productivity to feed a growing global population, and support farmers on the frontlines in building resilience and adapting to the impacts of climate change. While AIM for Climate has had a notable start at COP26, we are raising the bar to mobilize even greater investments and coordinated support to drive global food systems transformation. By working together and drawing on the diverse knowledge and experience of countries and actors across the value chain, we can enable a quantum leap in agricultural innovation and address our shared climate challenges.”

At the ministerial meeting, AIM for Climate co-leads, the UAE and the US, launched AIM for Climate Ideations to offer partners opportunities to host events and activities throughout the year in support of advancing the initiative’s objectives. These ideations will revolve around insight sharing, innovation collaboration, institutional capacity building, coordination, or demonstration and deployment.

Launched at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), AIM for Climate galvanizes support and investments for climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation to enable solutions at the intersection of global hunger and the climate crisis. — business@khaleejtimes.com