The United Kingdom (U.K.) has announced to scale-up partnership with the World Bank to boost climate-resilient farming practices globally.
The U.K. will also provide £ 10 million through the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to help smallholder farmers and others improve their incomes in ways, which reduce the impact on the natural world, particularly forests.
The official announcement was made by the Minister of State for Development & Africa – Andrew Mitchell, at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28). While agriculture is vital for global food security and rural livelihoods, it is also a key driver of climate change and nature loss. Farmers on the front line of climate change suffer more frequent, severe weather impacts, including drought and floods.
Improving soil health, land management and efficient use of fertiliser are some of the changes the Just Rural Transition Support Programme will work with climate-vulnerable partner countries to adopt so their agriculture policies are more productive and sustainable.
Countries like Zambia are suffering droughts, which negatively affect their economies and food production. The U.K. will help support smallholder farmers in to expand their businesses by growing new crops or improving the quality of their produce, linking them to export markets and planting trees to create more sustainable sources of raw materials.
At COP28, the focus is also on water alongside food and agriculture. Agriculture accounts for 70% of freshwater use globally and causes 70% of water pollution. With the world facing an unprecedented and accelerating water crisis, rapid action is needed to ensure sustainable access to clean water. By 2030, it is estimated there will be a 40% shortfall in freshwater supply, with drastic consequences for people, the planet and nature.
Mitchell also set out up to £ 39 million in new funding for the newly launched Just Transitions for Water Security Programme to help countries manage water resources responsibly for the future.
The Just Transitions for Water Security Programme will provide technical assistance to low-income and climate-vulnerable countries so they can better manage their water resources. This in turn, will strengthen climate resilience for the most vulnerable, support more sustainable food systems and improve drought and flood management, all while making sure everyone has access to clean water.
Speaking on the occasion, Mitchell said, “Water is at the centre of the climate crisis. Water security must be driven up the global agenda. We must protect water properly if we are to ensure equitable access for all. U.K. funding set out today will support water resilient supply chains, and boost investments to ensure this basic and vital source of life is available to vulnerable communities on the frontline of climate change.”
At COP28, the U.K. has also signed up to the Freshwater Challenge, launched at the United Nations (U.N.) Water Conference in March 2023, by the Governments of Colombia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Gabon, Mexico and Zambia, to boost the restoration and conservation of freshwater ecosystems, recognising the essential role these habitats play in tackling climate change and supporting people and nature.
