The U.S. Department of Agriculture (”USDA”) is seeking comment on a set of proposed strategic goals and planning priorities for climate change research, education, and extension activities.  USDA is developing this strategy to build on its previous work in analyzing the impacts of climate change on agriculture, land resources, water resources, and biodiversity in the United States.  That earlier report concluded that climate change is already affecting U.S. water resources, agriculture, land resources, and biodiversity, and will continue to do so. USDA’s proposed new strategy document will identify policy goals related to climate change along with detailed planning priorities and emphasis areas related to each one.  Goals identified in the August 6, 2008 Federal Register Notice included:

Goal 1: Understand the effects of climate change on natural and managed ecosystems.

Goal 2: Develop knowledge and tools to enable adaptation to climate change and improve the resilience of natural and managed ecosystems. 

Goal 3: Develop knowledge and tools to reduce the contributions of agriculture, forestry, and other land management practices to the build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 

Goal 4: Deliver climate change science and technology to USDA agencies, stakeholders and collaborators for improved decision making.

USDA is one of several federal agencies involved in assessing the impacts of climate change on the US agricultural sector (and vice versa).  In May 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency released a report concluding that the US agricultural sector accounted for 6 percent of US emissions in 2006. 

Comments on USDA’s proposed goals (and the various priorities discussed thereunder) are due by Sept. 19, 2008. USDA will publish the final version of the Strategic Plan on USDA’s Web site.

For further information about this topic, please contact Akin Gump.