Objective A1-Nationally Determined Contributions

Objective

Ensure that the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of all UNFCCC country Parties contain references to soil health and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), and that they are taken into account in their sustainable agriculture development programs.

In 2019, out of 196 countries' NDCs, only 13 refer to SOC in relation to agricultural mitigation targets or adaptation actions, and 20 refer to peatlands or wetlands in relation to such targets. A further 3 NDCs refer to soil carbon without clear linkages to targets.

Objective

Foster the emergence of innovative projects centered on soil health and in line with "4 per 1000" ambition and with the help of the set of indicators and criteria for formative project assessment elaborated by the STC.

A call-for-project 2020 introduced with a wider base of contacts and a targeted timing.

5 to 10 high quality projects selected

Objective A3-Success Stories

Objective

Objective

1 global (online) meeting a year

1 periodical note a year.

5 regional (online) meetings a year

2 to 3 periodical notes a year.

5 regional (online) meetings a year

5 periodical notes a year.

Objective

Screen, compile and share the best Carbon market mechanisms and compensation schemes on C sequestration

Objective

Develop a scientific reference framework including socio-economic aspects (research programs, international scientific cooperation and STC) that shows the potential of soil health contributing to carbon sequestration resulting in a positive carbon balance in AFOLU systems.

Start a multi-stakeholder discussion.

Contribution to CIRCASA project and inception of the IRC.

B - IMPLEMENTATION

Foster enabling environment and/or framework (business model, trustworthy third-party, tutoring, mentoring, amplify impact, scaling up) for implementation on the ground

Objective B1-Investment Plans

Objective

Encourage the development and implementation of national and/or supranational strategies (including incentive and regulatory mechanisms) and responsible investment plans for soil health derived from the NDCs' targets.

Inventory of strategies and investments plans existing as of 2020.

Objective

Facilitate access to information and capacity development for land managers, in particular women, on how to improve soil health and increase SOC content for all agro-pedo-climatic regions.

Database of good practices on SOC management and capacity development delivered to one region and its sub-regions, as of 2021. Ex: Africa could be the 1st targeted area.

Development of the basis of the database with some major partners.

Objective

Develop and implement science-based regional helpdesks for :

(a) the planning of local actions on good AFOLU management practices

(b) the establishment and use of compensation schemes for carbon sequestration

(c) provision of ecosystem services at appropriate levels (principle of subsidiarity)

Objective

Develop a user-friendly online toolkit (including verified assessment and monitoring tools) on soil health and soil organic carbon.

Collection of existing tools and experts.

Compile and launch an online tool-box that will be improved continuously.

Actors in 40 countries use 20% of the tools of the box.

Actors in all countries use 40% of the tools of the box.

C - PROMOTION

Raise awareness and advocacy, build trust, encourage partnerships, engagements and commitments of all stakeholders

Objective

Advocate for soil health and the importance of soils for climate and food security and raise the general awareness  on the central role of the "4 per 1000" Initiative

In 2020, no measurement of the assisted-awareness of the "4 per 1000" brand is available. Measurement to be conducted.

Objective

Promote the paradigm shift from "soil exploitation" to "soil regeneration" through agroecology and sustainable land management practices at the level of producers and businesses along value chains.

Globally, contact 10% to 15% of farmer associations / federations per region.

Contact the Top 20 global Food businesses involved in Ag. and or Forestry.

Contact 100% of farmer associations per region.

Contact the Top 50 global Food businesses involved in Ag. and or Forestry.

Contact the Top 20 regionally.

Reach regionally, 100% of smallholder farmers and family-held farms. 

Contact the Top 100 global Food businesses involved in Ag. and or Forestry.

Objective

Convince policy makers and funders to increase commitments and investments in AFOLU in favor of soil health and carbon sequestration.

The Top 20* institutions contacted end of 2020.

* Refering to the 2018 study about potential funders

Objective

Study on interests and conditions to develop "4 per 1000" branding mechanisms.

Decision upon the branding mechanisms to select to improve the "4 per 1000' branding (target / audience / tools & purpose to be further defined).

Put the tools to be developed, on a timeline.

D - COLLABORATION

implement an online collaborative platform that facilitates and supports interaction between partners, with powerful tool box, business plan and knowledge management strategy

Objective D1-Platform

Objective

Collaborative platform 2.0 fully operational for the Secretariat, the STC and the Bureau.

End of 2021/22, platform fully operational for all members and partners.

Objective

1 to 2 "4 per 1000"regional meetings organized every year

Objective

Mobilize youth & senior networks on agriculture and forestry that support producers and local action groups in their transition to agro-ecology, including sustainable land management practices.

Objective

Develop strategic partnerships and coalitions with relevant global networks and Initiatives.

Refer to the 2018 study about potential funders. Reach 20% of the most relevant global networks, Initiatives.

E - FOLLOW UP

Establish an international science based framework recognized by all stakeholders for the assessment of impact through Monitoring, Reporting & Verification

Objective E1-Monitoring, Reporting and Verification

Objective

Screen and evaluate monitoring tools (remote sensing, database, sensors, etc) and methodologies that estimate state and change of soil organic carbon content at various scales

Objective

Identification of the 5 major players.

Inception of the real-time SOC monitoring dashboard.

Objective

Contact and explore possible collaboration with the developers of existing tools.

F - CROSSCUTTING ACTIONS

Highlight the pertinence of the "4 per 1000" Initiative by initiating and supporting concrete and result-oriented actions on the ground and increase resource mobilization to ensure the long-term viability of the Initiative.

Objective

Objective

Total annual budget 2020: 961 K Euros

(including core budget of 721 K Euros)

Objective

By the end of 2021 the dashbord will be operational and regularly updated.

In 2025 the dashboard will be recognized as an international standard.