US commits $30 million to Africa for climate adaptation efforts

The US has pledged $30mn to Africa for climate adaptation efforts. US climate envoy John Kerry announced the funding at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi. The first tranche of $20mn will go to the Africa Adaptation Initiative for the Food Security Accelerator, which will invest in African agricultural businesses and help them create independent and climate resilient supply chains. The second tranche will go to the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Finance and Technology Transfer Facility, which scales technologies like cold chain storage to maintain food quality and safety.

This funding is part of the President's Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (Prepare), launched by US President Joe Biden in November 2021. The largest US commitment ever towards climate change adaptation is $3bn/yr by 2024. Kerry emphasized that early and effective adaptation is required to combat the climate crisis, stating that roads and bridges built today can only spur growth and curb poverty if they are still standing tomorrow.