Soil profile under rice fields
Source: "4 per 1000"
International "4 per 1000" Initiative – Healthy soils for global food security and climate
The international "4 per 1000" Initiative was launched in France on December 1, 2015, at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC - COP21). The Initiative aims to establish healthy and carbon-rich soils worldwide. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) supports the Initiative’s Executive Secretariat.
Humus-rich soils can make an additional contribution to storing carbon from the air and help combat climate change. In addition, humus-rich soils are essential for the sustainable production of sufficient food. Based on scientific evidence, the Initiative therefore encourages stakeholders from public and private sectors to promote and implement agricultural practices that advance the transition to more sustainable and soil-friendly agriculture worldwide.
Working in conjunction, the members of the Initiative developed a strategy that sets targets up to 2050 and that is now being implemented, a step at a time. Details regarding the individual fields of activity as well as the strategy plan are available on the international website: https: https://4p1000.org/.
The Executive Secretariat, of which the BLE is a member, is the executive body and supports the Initiative’s governing bodies (the Partner Forum, the Member Consortium, the Board of Directors and the Scientific and Technical Committee). In addition, the Executive Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the stated objectives, in particular by organizing meetings, supporting projects, communicating with the different stakeholders, and managing a collaborative platform. Members of the Executive Secretariat also regularly bring the issue of "Healthy Soils for Global Food Security and Climate" to international climate change negotiations, participate in relevant discussion groups, and participate in national and international working groups.
In conjunction with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Initiative also manages a Climate-Soil Community of Practice (CoP). This provides a platform for regular events on different thematic focal points, such as soil health, composting or regenerative agriculture. In addition, events with a regional focus (e.g. on sub-Saharan Africa or Latin America) are organized. Representatives from international cooperation, business and science, among others, can get in touch with each other and exchange ideas on relevant topics: https://wiki.afris.org/display/4COP2.
