The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to embark on an ambitious mission to reshape the landscape of greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and verification in agriculture and forestry. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a groundbreaking investment of $300 million, harnessed through the President’s Investing in America agenda.
These funds, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, will fuel the realization of key objectives outlined in the Federal Strategy to Advance Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Monitoring for the Agriculture and Forest Sectors, which has been unveiled as a draft for public input.
At the core of this transformative endeavor is the commitment to driving climate-smart agriculture practices. The Inflation Reduction Act allocated a substantial $20 billion to support conservation and climate initiatives, bolstering the administration's overarching goals.
Secretary Vilsack underscores the significance of strengthening the scientific backbone of programs and the transformative potential of this investment. By increasing the accuracy, reducing uncertainty, and enhancing confidence in greenhouse gas estimates, the USDA aims to foster data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in climate-smart agriculture and forestry efforts.
The investment will channel its focus into seven critical areas, as outlined in the federal strategy, which reflects the input of stakeholders:
Establishing and advancing a Soil Carbon Monitoring and Research Network, including a perennial biomass component.
Creating and advancing a Greenhouse Gas Research Network.
Expanding data management infrastructure and enhancing overall capacity.
Improving models and tools to assess greenhouse gas outcomes across various scales.
Enhancing NRCS conservation practice standards and utilizing implementation data to capture mitigation opportunities.
Expanding temporal and spatial coverage of national conservation activity data.
Strengthening the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Assessment Program of USDA.
This landmark investment exemplifies the President’s commitment to combat the climate crisis with comprehensive and strategic actions. By accurately measuring and verifying emissions in the agricultural and forestry sectors, this transformative initiative paves the way for targeted solutions and investment opportunities.
Through robust partnerships, technical expertise, and stakeholder engagement, the USDA is poised to drive innovation, unlock economic potential, and forge a sustainable future for agriculture and forestry.
Source : wisconsinagconnection