The Gates Foundation pledged $1.4 billion over four years to help smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia cope with climate change impacts, according to an announcement made during COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Foundation chair Bill Gates said the investment would provide tools and resources to support farmers feeding their communities under difficult conditions, noting that strengthening their resilience represents one of the most effective ways to benefit both people and the environment.
The commitment addresses a significant funding gap, as less than 1 percent of global climate finance currently supports agricultural systems despite farmers in low-income countries producing one-third of the world's food supply. Foundation CEO Mark Suzman characterized climate adaptation as both an economic and moral necessity, emphasizing that governments and private sector partners must collaborate to prioritize adaptation measures alongside emissions reduction efforts.
World Bank research indicates that targeted adaptation investments could increase GDP in small island developing states by up to 15 percentage points by 2050, while the World Resources Institute estimates each dollar invested yields more than $10 in combined social and economic returns within ten years.
The commitment addresses a significant funding gap, as less than 1 percent of global climate finance currently supports agricultural systems despite farmers in low-income countries producing one-third of the world's food supply. Foundation CEO Mark Suzman characterized climate adaptation as both an economic and moral necessity, emphasizing that governments and private sector partners must collaborate to prioritize adaptation measures alongside emissions reduction efforts.
World Bank research indicates that targeted adaptation investments could increase GDP in small island developing states by up to 15 percentage points by 2050, while the World Resources Institute estimates each dollar invested yields more than $10 in combined social and economic returns within ten years.
