Douglas News Network’s editor, Andre Leu, will be speaking shortly at the High-Level Segment of the “4 per 1000” Initiative at the COP26 Science Day being held in Glasgow. The Initiative was launched by the French government at the COP21 Paris Climate Summit in 2015. It aims to boost carbon storage in agricultural soils by 0.4% each year to help mitigate climate change and increase food security. Andre was an original signatory (signature No.7) of the International Agreement at the Paris Climate Change meeting.
The goals of the “4 per 1000” Initiative are more relevant than ever for this unique multi-stakeholder partnership in the field of food security and climate change. The Initiative brings together nearly 650 members and partners (countries, international organisations, research and educational institutions, agricultural and forestry producers, non-governmental organisations, and businesses).
Andre will be addressing the importance of regenerative agriculture to assist in mitigating climate change by drawing down CO2 to increase soil organic matter and soil health.
Soil health is precisely at the heart of the “4 per 1000: Soils for Food Security and Climate” Initiative. This is because sequestering carbon in soils through photosynthesis via agriculture and forestry would fulfill three essential functions in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- improving food security,
- helping agriculture and forestry adaptation to climate change, and
- contributing to climate change mitigation.
After the adoption of its Strategic Plan in 2020, and six years after its creation, the “4 per 1000” Initiative will present its Strategic Plan. The Initiative will start a phase of implementation and concrete achievements on the ground with the collaboration of its members, partners and supporters.
The general theme of this “4 per 1000” day will be the mobilisation of partners, members and supporters of the Initiative through multi-stakeholder coalitions for the implementation of the 2050 Strategic Plan and its action plan.
In the context of the COVID-19 crisis, many participants cannot travel to Glasgow. Andre will be presenting via Zoom from the Daintree.
