FAO launches tools to encourage soil organic carbon sequestration

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Wednesday launched two practical instruments designed to encourage soil organic carbon (SOC) maintenance and sequestration.

The two products unveiled today, part of the RECSOIL initiative, are a global map illustrating how much and where CO2 can be sequestered by soils -- the GSOCseq, and a technical manual of good practices to sequester and maintain SOC stocks in soils.

'We must look for innovative ways to transform our agri-food systems to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. Healthy soils are critical to achieving this,' FAO Director-General QU Dongyu told the opening session of the ninth Global Soil Partnership (GSP) Plenary Assembly.

While soils and soil health are well-rooted in the global agenda, tangible impacts remain an important challenge 'for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind,' Qu said.