SoilCarbon4Climate: Pathways and solutions for soil carbon in temperate regions
Multi-Stakeholder Conference – Berlin, Germany, 11-13 September 2025
The 1st “4 per 1000” Regional Meeting for temperate climates was a great success.
Hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH), and co-organized by the German Federal Humus Programme, the first “4 per 1000” Regional Meeting for temperate climates brought together over 200 soil experts from all stakeholder groups across the temperate climate zone to discuss pathways and solutions for soil organic carbon in temparte regions.
From September 11-13, participants from 28 countries on five continents operating in similar agroecological conditions met in Berlin to explore common challenges and to get inspired by creative solutions developed around the globe.
The conference was officially opened by Mr. Alois Rainer, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Identiy of Germany, and by Mr. Stéphane Le Foll, President of the “4 per 1000” Initiative, followed by a signature moment marking the formal accession of of the European Commission to the Initiative through the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).
During the subsequent high-level segment on international cooperation, representatives from the EC JRC, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the FAO’s Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and the International Research Consortium on Soil Carbon – (Science for …) Soil Carbon Futures – demonstrated how unified action across organisations drives global engagement for soil health and carbon sequestration in soils.
Subsequently, during her introductory speech, Dr. Penelope Wensley AC, reflected on the long way the global community has come in their diplomatic struggle for climate change mitigation and adaptation, while during their keynote speeches, Dr. Axel Don stressed that saturation is not a limiting factor for soil carbon sequestration and Ms. Stefania Avanzini highlighted the importance of supply chain resilience as a driver for private sector investment in soil health.
During the second half of the day, two farmers of the German Humus Programme shared their transition story and highlighted the need for reliable public finance of sustainable (soil) management practices, a good starting point for the following discussion of the multistakeholder panel on how farmers can benefit from sustainable soil management.
The second day offered the chance to deep-dive into different solutions, with break-out and plenary sessions on soil health and bio diversity, policy approaches, living labs, biochar and circular economy, MRV, agroforestry, carbon markets, grasslands and peatlands. Finally, excursions to three farms invested in soil health around Berlin, provided a great opportunity to explore innovative approaches hands-on. All recordings, presentations and pictures as well as the conference programme can be accessed through the “4 per 1000” collaborative platform here.
The international “4 per 1000” Initiative warmly thanks the team of the Executive Secretariat in Bonn: Claudia Schepp, Catalina Berger, Samuel Ottnad and Lantz Brueckner, and the entire organizing team for the rigorous organizational work carried out.
The conference was also a perfect opportunity to express our deep gratitude and respect for the long standing engagement of Dr. Paul Luu as Executive Secretary of the Initiative on an international stage.
