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Synthesis Papers

Background

Healthy soils are vital for our environment and food systems. They are fundamental for food security and biodiversity, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and help with adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change. Nature-based Solutions that increase the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) can significantly reduce the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere related to human activity, while contributing to fertile soils and suitable habitats for micro and macro fauna. Herewith, they are a crucial element to meet the targets of international agendas, like the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Even though the potential of sustainable land management (SLM) and soil carbon is increasingly recognized at the international level, upscaling of soil-carbon practices on a broader scale is missing.

Objective

Together with the "4 per 1000" Initiative, we want to promote awareness of the climate potential of sustainable land management and soil-carbon practices. Specifically, we want to advocate increased and concrete consideration of soil organic carbon in the National Defined Contributions (NDCs) and identify concrete pathways for improvement and implementation.

The "Climate-Soil Community of Practice" (CoP) disseminates information on successful land management and soil carbon projects, highlights good practices for overcoming adoption barriers and strengthens the case for sustainable land management as a key to effective climate action. While "4 per 1000" facilitates the joint conception and initiation of actions at the global level, this "Community of Practice" focuses on the implementation of activities in the context of development cooperation.

Format

This CoP provides a space for actors to exchange knowledge and experience, to present their work, to learn from each other and to develop partnerships. The process for their development is catalyzed by a series of events on selected topics. In cooperation with "4 per 1000", we will provide a platform for follow-up and contact management. Once initiated, this CoP will be organized by its participants. While GIZ and "4 per 1000" will organize the event this time, other partners are invited to carry on.

Topics

The discussions and exchange formats elaborate on the climate-soil nexus. Thus far, the community has focused on the following topics:

  • Voluntary carbon markets (VCM) for soil organic carbon projects
  • Alignment of soil, agriculture, and climate policies
  • Biochar production and application models
  • Monitoring climate benefits of sustainable land management

Upcoming event

At the upcoming event we build on the results of previous events and follow up with a more in-depth discussion on practical approaches related to voluntary carbon markets (VCM). The event will also open the call for interested participants to get involved in shaping the Community.

The sessions from 13:00 – 17:00 CET on the three consecutive afternoons will focus on:

  | 13:00-17:00 CET - The perspective of buyers and investors on the VCM for soil organic carbon

 | 13:00-17:00 CET - Insights on market-, accounting and monitoring solutions for common challenges

 | 13:00-17:00 CET - Enhancing the potential of soil within international climate mechanisms

For complete information, kindly see the Agenda attached.

 Agenda

27 October 2020: Buyers and investors perspective on the VCM for SOC

CET
1:00 PMIntroduction and welcome note by Paul Luu – 4 per 1000
1:30 PMBackground on the event

Presentations and discussions:
2:00 PMRelevance of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for the VCM - Allianz für Entwicklung und Klima / UNIQUE forestry and land use
3:00 PMThe Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Fund - Investors perspective on SOC and blended finance - Mirova
4:00 PMREDD+ experiences informing the SOC market development - TMG Consulting
4:45 PMTake-aways and conclusion

28 October 2020: VCM: Insights on market-, and monitoring solutions for common challenges

CET
1:00 PMWELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Presentations and discussions:
1:20 PMMarketing strategies for certificates - Gold Standard
2:00 PMProgrammatic SOC certification approaches - UNIQUE forestry
3:00 PMHow to overcome monitoring barriers in current standards? - Verra
4:00 PMBlockchain-based registry for carbon credits – Nori
4:45 PMTake-aways and conclusion

29 October 2020: Enhancing the potential of soil within international climate mechanisms

CET
1:00 PMWELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Presentations and discussions:
1:20 PMRecarbonisation of Soils and the GSOC MRV Protocol - FAO
2:00 PMIntegrating soil in NDC update and ambition raising - Liesl Wiese
3:00 PMUNFCCC Article 6 development, consequences for the VCM for soil carbon - The Nature Conservancy
3:45 PMTake-aways and conclusion
4:00 PMPanel discussion on the climate-soil nexus with Dr. Martin Frick (representative from UNFCCC and Deputy to the Special Envoy for the UN Food Systems Summit) and Louise Baker (Managing Director of the UNCCD Global Mechanism)

Small breaks are scheduled in between the sessions. If you have any questions regarding the agenda or format, please contact Fabian Rackelmann (fabian.rackelmann@giz.de) or Asil Abuassba (asil.abuassba@giz.de).