Soil Health as a Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy
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About this Event
Soil Health as a Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy
Soils lie at the heart of global climate and ecological systems—yet they remain one of the most under-recognized assets in mainstream climate strategies.
This high-level session, convened as part of London Climate Action Week and aligned with the Road to COP30, brings together leading scientists, policy experts, and innovators to spotlight the transformative role of soil health in delivering both climate mitigation and adaptation.
Why Soils Matter
1-The largest carbon store on land – Healthy soils sequester vast amounts of atmospheric CO₂, helping to meet net-zero targets.
Natural water regulators – Soils filter, store, and cycle water, reducing flood risk and improving water quality.
2- Foundation of food systems – Over 95% of our food depends on soil. Degraded soils mean lower yields, poor nutrition, and rising food insecurity.
3-Ecosystem restoration – Healthy soils support biodiversity above and below ground, anchoring thriving landscapes.
4-Untapped climate solution – Soils are a scalable, nature-based solution with co-benefits for climate, livelihoods, and sustainability.
What to Expect
Through scientific insight and practical innovation, this event will explore how investing in healthy soils can:
I) Support global net-zero ambitions
II) Enhance climate-resilient agriculture and food security
III) Improve water retention and quality in vulnerable landscapes
IV) Enable new models for climate finance, ESG, and risk reduction
Outcome:
This event will position soil health as a critical pillar of climate policy, shaping investment, innovation, and implementation pathways toward COP30 and beyond.
British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) www.soils.org.uk
The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) was founded in 1947 and is an established international membership organisation and charity committed to the study of soil in its widest aspects. The society brings together those working within academia, practitioners implementing soil science in industry and all those working with, or with an interest in soils.
Research on soils and enhanced understanding and engagement with soils is essential for agricultural, landscaping, construction, remediation, conservation and archaeological projects, as well as policy direction on critical topics such as climate change. Our members are employed by both private and public sector institutions including academic universities, conservation charities, construction companies and agri-environmental consultancies.
We promote research and education, both academically and in practice, and build collaborative partnerships to help safeguard our soil for the future.
BSSS run a range of knowledge exchange events, conferences, and training each year to meet the needs of our members. The most notable event the Society has hosted was the World Congress of Soil Science 2022 in Glasgow, where 1,700 delegates from all over the world in the soil science industry met to discuss the critical global issues relating to soil including; managing soils sustainably, preserving its ecosystem, and mitigating against climate change.
BSSS aim is to advance the education of the public, and scientists, on the subject of soil science and to promote research and professional standards of practice, and to publish those results.
BSSS mission is to secure the future of soils by promoting an enhanced understanding of the critical importance of soils in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals and supplying knowledge, through our science, to support efforts to halt and repair soil degradation. It aims to make a positive difference in the sustainable management and long-term security of soils that is critical to solving the environmental and societal challenges we face today.
BSSS will be running its annual conference on 2-5th December in Manchester with two first days for Early Career Researchers and last two days to address the industry challenges and policy matters.
BSSS strategy sets out the action we will take to deliver our aim and mission.
Anyone with an interest in soil is welcome to become a member and attend our conferences and webinars, receive complimentary access to our two scientific journals, the European Journal of Soil Science and Soil Use and Management and a host of other benefits.
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