Invest in Soil Health - fostering the future of climate change mitigation and adaptation

At COP29, discussions have brought a sharp focus to the importance of regenerative agriculture in addressing climate change and fostering sustainable development. Central to this effort is the recognition of soil health as a critical factor in building resilience, enhancing biodiversity, and meeting global food demands.??

The Critical Role of Soil Health??

Soil health underpins global sustainability, directly influencing seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and indirectly supporting the other ten. Unlike soil quality, which emphasizes physical and chemical characteristics, soil health reflects biological connectivity, carbon content, water retention, and overall productivity.??

Healthy soil is essential for carbon storage, biodiversity, and agricultural yields. When soil is healthy it is less vulnerable to erosion and is able to hold water more efficiently, and support life—both above and beneath its surface. With approximately58% of biodiversity residing in soil ecosystems, the health of our soils is central to the survival of all species. As Paul Luu succinctly stated, “Soil health is the starting point for enabling humanity to remain on the planet.”??

Challenges and Opportunities in Regenerative Agriculture??

Scaling regenerative agriculture (regen ag) remains challenging due to its context-specific nature. Moreover, progress on key frameworks like Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has been limited in advancing regen ag practices. However, real-world case studies offer both inspiration and insight into overcoming these barriers.??

Brazil?

As a global agricultural powerhouse, Brazil has led the way in implementing no-till farming practices. This approach, which improves soil health and crop yields, exceeded its target of 8 million hectares by 2020 by an impressive 6 million hectares. However, the increased uptake of no-till farming has been coupled with a rise in the use of pesticides. This demonstrates the challenges faced when transitioning to regen agricultural practices when farmers are faced with balancing productivity with sustainable approaches.??

India?

Innovative “floating farms” have emerged as a promising solution to climate-induced challenges like flooding. These systems, which utilize organic waste and micronutrients in biodegradable bags, create optimal growing conditions for crops. Supported by renewable energy and water-efficient drip irrigation, this method has been tested in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. While it enhances productivity and reduces water use, its carbon sequestration and wider sustainability benefits remain uncertain and at present unquantifiable.??

Uganda

In East Africa, rapid population growth and land fragmentation have led to widespread desertification and declining agricultural yields. Integrated, community-driven approaches are proving effective in tackling these challenges. Ugandan farming communities are struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change, as their survival is tied to the health of their agricultural soils.They are exploring programmes which employ an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to try and resolve multiple, intrinsically-linked issues such as gender equity, desertification, family planning and health and hygiene??

African Centre for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

When community collaboration occurs it has resulted in the return of microorganisms to soils due to improved farming practices. These microorganisms improve the health, function and productivity of soils, increasing yields in areas which are facing pressures from climate change and population growth. The Sustainable and Inclusive Food System Agents Programme has engaged with women and young people to embrace agroecological practices to improve the health of farmland soils. The programme demonstrated that, in vulnerable regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, it is vital we conserve valuable trees and harvest in a sustainable way. Central to the programme’s success was the bringing together of two communities who each possessed their own, individual value which the other community did not have. By working from the bottom up, local knowledge can be fully utilised to ensure agroecological projects are implemented in a sustainable way which meets the individual needs of local communities and ecosystems, and provide enhanced resilience in countries which will be more vulnerable to the effects of our changing climate.

Partnerships for Success??

A recurring theme at COP29 is the critical role of partnerships in scaling regenerative agriculture. Many communities face a resource-knowledge divide: some possess the local expertise to implement climate solutions but lack funding, while others have access to resources but require practical guidance. Bridging this gap is essential to foster progress.??

Private sector engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration have emerged as powerful tools for sustaining and scaling successful initiatives. By integrating diverse perspectives, fostering innovation, and leveraging shared resources, partnerships ensure that solutions are both inclusive and effective.??

The success of regenerative agriculture depends on embracing diverse approaches tailored to local contexts, fostering collaboration, and addressing barriers to implementation. From Brazil’s no-till farming to India’s floating farms and Uganda’s agroecological systems, these examples highlight the potential for meaningful change.??

As these conversations evolve, the message is clear: soil health is more than a technical issue—it is the foundation of our shared future. By acting together, governments, private entities, and communities can ensure that regenerative agriculture transforms global food systems, mitigates climate impacts, and sustains biodiversity for generations to come.