Umwelt | Wasser & Boden, 11.12.2024

Unlocking Resilience Through Soil

Financing Soil Health and Land Restoration Takes Center Stage at COP16

NOW Partners Foundation's Merijn Dols joined a distinguished panel of experts at the UN’s Convention to Combat Desertification, COP16 in Riyadh, for the session "Financing Soil Health and Land Restoration for Food Security and Resilience." The event, co-hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF, CA4SH, WWF International, Rabobank, 4 per 1000 Initiative, British Society of Soil Science, WBCSD, and IICA, focused on the critical role of finance in promoting sustainable land management and regenerative agriculture.

More than half of global GDP is dependent on healthy ecosystem services. Soil is a critical, nodal ecosystem. © Anil Sharma, pexels.com

The True Value of Soil

Dr. Jack Hannam, President of the British Society of Soil Science, emphasized the vital importance of soil health, stating, "More than half of global GDP is dependent on healthy ecosystem services. Soil is a critical, nodal ecosystem. More carbon is stored in the soils than in the vegetation they support, and two-thirds of biodiversity is in the soil."

Food as Culture and Connection

Cristiane Gomes Julião, representing the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) and the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), highlighted the cultural significance of food and the need for interconnectedness. "Food is culture," Julião stated. "Food is interconnected. It requires processes of healthy exchanges like in a network of mycelium."

Empowering Farmers and Farmer-Scientists

Esther Penunia, Secretary General of the Asian Farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development, emphasized the importance of empowering farmers in the transition to agroecology. "Give training, work with the farmers,” Penunia urged.

Challenges and Opportunities in Financing Soil Health

Jyoti Jankowski, Strategy & Operations Lead for Conscious Planet-Save Soil, discussed the challenges in mobilizing investments for soil health and highlighted the need for accessible measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems.

Leveraging Political Will and Collaboration

Dr. Ermias Betemariam, Land Health Scientist at CIFOR-ICRAF, called for the soil community to leverage political will and utilize mechanisms like Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement to finance soil health initiatives. Dr. Jean Charles Le Vallée, IICA Representative for Canada and UNCCD Focal Point, emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders.

Unlocking the Regenerative Potential of the Food System

Merijn Dols, Co-founder of Future Economy Forum and former head of innovation and circularity at Danone, shared his vision for a regenerative economy. "We seek to make a regenerative economy the new normal," Dols stated. He highlighted the need to debunk myths surrounding industrial agriculture and showcase the economic viability of regenerative practices. "Whether you’re an altruist or not, it’s simply better business.”

Dols presented examples of companies successfully integrating sustainability into their business models, including Natura, Sekem and APCNF. He emphasized the importance of breaking down silos and creating regenerative value across sectors.

You can find here the full statement of Merijn Dols.

Note: Read more about soil degradation and regenerative agriculture in the German edition of forum 25-01.

Merijn Dols: Managing Partner, NOW. Former Head of Open Innovation and Circularity at Danone. Advisory board member, Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Future Food Institute. Regenerative Economy Fellow at Natural Capitalism Solutions. Facilitates the paradigmatic shift to a regenerative future that reconnects Economy and Ecology. Circular Economy scholar and lecturer.

Kontakt: NOW Partners, Merijn Dols | merijn@now.partners | www.now.partners

Quelle: NOW Partners Foundation

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