Contact/s:
Lin Bautze
lin.bautze@fibl.org
Markus Steffens
The Role of Soils for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation
Europe
All Zones
- Improved soil fertility and long-term productivity
- Enhanced climate resilience and carbon sequestration
- Reduced GHG emissions through sustainable soil management
Thematic Areas
Production System/s
Summary for Practicioners on the Main Finding(s)/Innovative solution(s)
Why Soils Matter
Arable soils are the foundation of farming across the EU, crucial for fertility, productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Soils are now central to climate debates due to their role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and supporting resilient agriculture. Scientists are developing methods to quantify soil organic carbon (SOC) for climate mitigation, while policymakers explore carbon credit schemes. Farmers are increasingly interested in carbon farming as a potential income source.
Effects of Climate Change on Soils
Climate change poses challenges to soil health, including:
Increased erosion and nutrient leaching from heavy rainfall and extreme weather
Frequent waterlogging or droughts, impacting plant productivity
Greater pest pressure and altered microbial activity due to temperature changes
Faster decomposition of soil organic matter under warmer conditions
Negative impacts on soil structure and stability
Investing in soil health is essential to preserve ecosystems and maintain productivity.
How to Build Healthy and Fertile Soils
Building healthy soil takes time. Long-term studies, like Switzerland’s DOK trial, show that biodynamic and organic practices can sequester more SOC than conventional systems. Farmers can apply two strategies to stabilize or increase carbon in soils: (a) increase carbon inputs (e.g., cover crops, compost) and/or (b) reduce carbon losses (e.g., reduced tillage, rewetting peatlands).
Soil and Climate Goals
While SOC is often seen as a solution to the climate crisis, challenges remain—measuring, verifying, ensuring additionality, permanence, and addressing leakage and sequestration potential. SOC is not a simple fix, but carbon farming can increase farmer engagement and foster sustainable practices.
Balancing climate goals with other sustainability aspects supports the long-term health and fertility of soils.
Longer Description
Why Soils Matter
Arable soils are the foundation of farming across the EU, crucial for fertility, productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Soils are now central to climate debates due to their role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and supporting resilient agriculture. Scientists are developing methods to quantify soil organic carbon (SOC) for climate mitigation, while policymakers explore carbon credit schemes. Farmers are increasingly interested in carbon farming as a potential income source.
Effects of Climate Change on Soils
Climate change poses challenges to soil health, including:
Increased erosion and nutrient leaching from heavy rainfall and extreme weather
Frequent waterlogging or droughts, impacting plant productivity
Greater pest pressure and altered microbial activity due to temperature changes
Faster decomposition of soil organic matter under warmer conditions
Negative impacts on soil structure and stability
Investing in soil health is essential to preserve ecosystems and maintain productivity.
How to Build Healthy and Fertile Soils
Building healthy soil takes time. Long-term studies, like Switzerland’s DOK trial, show that biodynamic and organic practices can sequester more SOC than conventional systems. Farmers can apply two strategies to stabilize or increase carbon in soils: (a) increase carbon inputs (e.g., cover crops, compost) and/or (b) reduce carbon losses (e.g., reduced tillage, rewetting peatlands).
Soil and Climate Goals
While SOC is often seen as a solution to the climate crisis, challenges remain—measuring, verifying, ensuring additionality, permanence, and addressing leakage and sequestration potential. SOC is not a simple fix, but carbon farming can increase farmer engagement and foster sustainable practices.
Balancing climate goals with other sustainability aspects supports the long-term health and fertility of soils.