From Soil Science to Policy: harnessing the Biodiversity Beneath Our Feet for a Climate-Resilient Future

The EU needs to transition from knowledge generation in projects to simple, impactful actions. Soil actionable recommendations should be tailored to each stakeholder and their specific roles. This event will explore how we can build a collaborative and harmonized roadmap to advance soil biodiversity policies and practices. 

This SOILGUARD event, hosted by the prestigious Forum for the Future of Agriculture, will provide a unique opportunity to spotlight the critical role of soil biodiversity in sustainable land management. Attendees will learn about the latest tools and methodologies for soil health evaluation, policy integration, and practical solutions. The event will aim to translate scientific findings into impactful policies through expert panels, innovative projects like SoilGuard and others, and targeted sessions for diverse stakeholders. Focusing on a knowledge dialogue, actionable recommendations, and dynamic policy discussions, this conference aims to contribute to shaping the future of soil biodiversity strategies.

Structure of the Event

SOILGUARD: Sustainable soil management to unleash soil biodiversity potential and increase environmental, economic, and social well-being – Session 1 – 11:00 – 13:00

Soil is the foundation of our environment, economy, and food systems—but how well do we understand the biodiversity beneath our feet? Join us at this crucial event to explore groundbreaking insights into soil biodiversity and its role in sustainability.

Hear from our keynote address on why soil biodiversity matters now more than ever. Discover key findings from the SOILGUARD project, including the latest research on soil species distribution, the region-specific impacts of land degradation, soil management, and climate stressors, and the value of soil-mediated contributions to people.

A special highlight is the SoilGuardians App, a powerful tool designed to predict how climate change and land management affect social well-being.

Measuring Soil Biodiversity – Session 2 – 14:00 -15:30

We invite you to an in-depth session on the tools and methodologies used to assess soil biodiversity. Discover how SOILGUARD identified four key indicators for measuring soil biodiversity, drawing on extensive research findings. Gain a deeper understanding of how to develop a harmonized approach to measuring soil health with a streamlined set of essential indicators from our experts. Leave with practical knowledge of evaluating soil health, along with strategies to enhance monitoring systems for better decision-making.

Practical Recommendations and Policy Integration for Sustainable Soil Management – Session 3 – 15:30-17:00

In this session, you will explore validated practical recommendations and policy frameworks essential for driving sustainable soil management. The session will include an integrated discussion on linking soil monitoring and resilience to policy, highlighting conservation and policy briefs developed through the project. Experts will discuss the alignment of these recommendations with the Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), while also addressing challenges and opportunities in integrating practical solutions with policy. The session will also provide an interactive opportunity for the audience to engage with experts from research, policy (DG Agri), industry, farming, environmental services, and NGOs.

For more details contact: ranya.chehhar@elo.org