USDA Climate Adaptation Action Plan 2024-2027

The Plan aims to strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ability to address the risks of climate change by integrating climate resilience into its operations, policies, and programs. USDA recognizes that its operations and the natural resources it manages are increasingly exposed to extreme weather events such as heat waves, wildfires, droughts, floods, and severe storms. To mitigate these impacts, the Plan promotes investments in soil and forest health, expanding access to regional and local climate data, and encouraging the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural and forestry practices. One of the Plan’s key elements is its focus on climate-smart adaptation, which seeks to balance adaptation with climate change mitigation efforts, especially in the agricultural and forestry sectors. This approach involves managing climate risks through a combination of strategies such as reducing the vulnerability of rural communities, strengthening infrastructure, and improving land and water management practices. USDA also plans to expand the use of its Climate Centers to provide support in science, technology, and adaptation tools, helping producers, land managers, and other key stakeholders implement climate-smart practices. Additionally, the plan addresses the importance of environmental justice and equity, ensuring that USDA actions benefit the most vulnerable communities.