Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems initiative

Launched in May 2022, the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems initiative is investing $30M in cutting-edge genomic research and innovation to reduce the carbon footprint of Canada’s food production systems—building their resiliency, environmental sustainability and economic viability.

Climate change poses a significant risk to our agricultural systems, impacting the availability of food and other vital resources, from fuels to the raw materials used to develop everyday products.

Canada is committed to ambitious action to reduce emissions including in the agriculture sector. New technologies, products and approaches are required to reduce emissions, maintain productivity and competitiveness, and ensure food security at home and abroad.

In response to this major challenge, Genome Canada’s latest large-scale genomics initiative will support climate change mitigation and adaptation through strategic investments in climate-smart agriculture and food systems.

Objective

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprints of food production and inputs manufacturing.
• Enhance carbon sequestration to improve performance, mitigate climate impacts and support healthy ecosystems.
• Build resilient, sustainable food systems that educe environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Result in novel, nature-based solutions an processes that can replace traditional consumptive production processes with sustainable and circular solutions for the environment and economy.

Funding Opportunities

Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams

ICTs comprise researchers and users who work together to address specific questions related to the Initiative and to deliver innovative genomic solutions that support mitigation and climate action. Approximately $24 million will be available from Genome Canada; co- funding will be required.

Data Coordination Centre

Cross-cutting funding will support a DCC to develop and implement a portfolio data plan that includes aspects of data governance, data management and data analytics. Where appropriate, the centre will be responsible for harmonizing data processes (e.g., standards, metadata, protocols) and developing a single point of entry for data resources (e.g., data sets, tools, pipelines). The DCC will work with projects in the portfolio to address data- sharing challenges (between projects and with the wider community) and build national data assets that benefit Canadian and global climate action communities. Approximately $4 million is expected to be available from Genome Canada; co-funding will be required.

Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation Coordination Centre

Cross-cutting funding will support a KMICC to provide technical, administrative and coordinating support for the portfolio of projects related to these types of activities. The KMICC will work closely with the ICTs to coordinate and support knowledge mobilization and implementation activities and research activities related to genomics and its ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social aspects (GE3LS), and to provide other expertise, direction and leadership across the portfolio. Approximately $2 million is expected to be available from Genome Canada; co-funding will be required.

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