Global Soil Partnership

Global Soil Partnership
Name	Global Soil Partnership
Formation	2012
Type	Intergovernmental partnership
Headquarters	Rome, Italy
Parent organization	Food and Agriculture Organization

Global Soil Partnership. The Global Soil Partnership is an international initiative hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization to promote sustainable soil management and governance worldwide. It was established in response to growing concerns over soil degradation and its threat to food security, climate change adaptation, and biodiversity. The partnership serves as a platform for policy dialogue, knowledge sharing, and coordinated action among a diverse range of stakeholders, from national governments to scientific bodies.

Background and establishment

The need for a coordinated global effort on soil issues gained significant momentum in the early 21st century, driven by alarming reports on soil degradation from bodies like the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils. Key events, such as the World Soil Day proposal and discussions at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), highlighted the critical role of soils in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership was formally launched in 2012 under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization, with its foundational framework endorsed by the FAO Council. This establishment was a direct outcome of advocacy by the European Commission and the Kingdom of Thailand, among other member states, recognizing soils as an essential natural resource.

Objectives and functions

Its primary objectives are to advocate for sustainable soil management in relevant policy agendas and to improve soil governance at all levels. Core functions include providing technical guidance and standards, such as those outlined in the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management. The partnership works to enhance the quantity and quality of soil data through initiatives like GloSIS, and it fosters education and awareness through campaigns tied to World Soil Day. A key function is to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by addressing soil-related challenges like desertification, land degradation, and soil pollution.

Structure and governance

The partnership is governed by a Plenary Assembly which brings together all member countries and institutions. Strategic direction is provided by an elected Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils, composed of top soil scientists. Day-to-day operations and secretariat functions are managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization's Land and Water Division based in Rome. Regional soil partnerships have been established in areas including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Near East, ensuring activities are tailored to local priorities. Key implementing partners include national institutions like the United States Department of Agriculture and research networks such as the International Union of Soil Sciences.

Key initiatives and programmes

A flagship initiative is the Status of the World's Soil Resources report, a comprehensive global assessment. The partnership also oversees the implementation of the International Year of Soils 2015 and the ongoing celebration of World Soil Day every December 5th. It promotes the establishment of National Soil Information Systems and supports the development of national soil policies. Significant programmes include the Recarbonization of Global Soils initiative, which aims to boost soil organic carbon for climate mitigation, and the Global Soil Laboratory Network, which works to harmonize soil analysis methods worldwide.

Partnerships and collaborations

It maintains formal collaborative agreements with major environmental conventions, including the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Scientific collaboration is strong with bodies like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The partnership works closely with farmer organizations, such as the World Farmers' Organisation, and engages with the private sector through the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. It also coordinates with other Food and Agriculture Organization initiatives like the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture.

Impact and recognition

The partnership has been instrumental in elevating soil health on the international policy stage, influencing frameworks like the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture under the UNFCCC. Its technical guidelines have been adopted by numerous countries, informing national legislation and agricultural extension services. The widespread observance of World Soil Day has significantly raised public awareness. Its data and assessment reports are routinely cited in major publications from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity, underscoring its role as a trusted source of evidence for global environmental governance.

Category:Food and Agriculture Organization Category:Soil organizations Category:Environmental organizations established in 2012