| dc.description.abstract | The main objective of this scoping document, is to deliver an overall roadmap for the EU commission, targeting the soil mission objective “conserving and increasing soil organic carbon stocks”. The objective addresses the importance of maintaining, or in many situations increasing the soil organic carbon stocks. The soil organic carbon stock is often declining, and vulnerable to further losses due to intensive management and climate change. The soil mission objective aims at identifying actions that can limit the current carbon losses from cultivated soils and preferably reverse it to a rate of 0,1 - 0,4% increase per year (European Commission n.d.). The mission's objectives are relevant not only for supporting the aim to improve soil health by 2030, but also for the member states to become carbon neutral by 2050 (European Commission, n.d.). This think tank addresses the importance of maintaining, or in many situations increasing the soil organic carbon stocks by addressing the impacts of: • Management - Forestry management - Agronomic and land use managements - Climate change and adaptation technologies - Biodiversity and soil health • Societal - Urbanization and circular economy - Education and awareness raising - EU-footprints on SOC-stocks outside EU • Technical - Soil carbon measuring and monitoring In general, changes in soil carbon stocks are slow and management effects will vary depending on climate zones and soil types. Dialog and interaction is essential with all relevant stakeholder including those who own or manage land, agronomic advisors (both governmental and commercial), agricultural supply companies, policy makers, those involved in the food supply chain, and others, for the successful implementation of soil carbon management technologies. Practitioners holds essential knowledge and experience about their own land, and mutual knowledge and practice exchange, will facilitate and stimulate the necessary engagement for innovative technology implementation within the various aspects of soil carbon stocks and improvement of soil health in general. | |
