Soil organic carbon

Unit

: Soil Organic Carbon per hectare (SOC/ha), Metric tonnes of carbon per hectare (t carbon/ha)

Indicator

: Soil loss and degradation

Metric type

: State

Framework alignment notes

GBF Target 10

UN - FCCC: This metric is aligned with the requirements of the framework.

TNFD FA.A5.7

ESRS E4

SBTi - FLAG: Carbon Removals and Storage

UNEP - LUFIH: This metric is aligned with the requirements of the framework.

GHG-P - LSRG: This metric is partially aligned with the requirements of the framework.

Regen Ag Outcome: Increased soil health

Target example
i

An example target and the target source are presented to illustrate how a target could be set for this metric. Learn more on the Methodology page.

[Company name] commits to [maintain or increase] the soil organic carbon stock [at/to] above [target value] in [target location(s)] by [target year] compared with a [baseline year] baseline.

Target source: Adapted from SBTN Land Target

Sector

Agri-food

Value chain stage

Raw Materials Manufacturing

Metric assessment

Relevance: High

Feasibility: High

Additional Metric Notes
i

More details or context about the metric not captured above.

Rationale
Soil health is a key element in improving agricultural outcomes, making its measurement essential for establishing baselines and measuring outcomes. Soil carbon is considered a proxy for many other outcomes including overall soil health, biodiversity and water holding capacity.

Key resources
Regen-ag Metrics - Climate & Soils chapters

Landscape deep dives

Cerrado, BR - soy (+ corn/cotton rotation)
- Key resources:
  - Soil Organic Carbon App (open access tool from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)): https://ciatsocapp.github.io/
Upper Midwest, USA - corn (+ soy rotation) - Key indicator for this biome where soil degradation is high
- Key resources:
  - Web Soil Survey (soil data and information): https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/
  - Soil and Water Conservation Districts (directory): https://www.nacdnet.org/general-resources/conservation-district-directory/
  - Soil Organic Carbon network SOCnet (monitoring project): https://projects.sare.org/sare_project/lnc22-475/
Friesland, NL - dairy (incl roughage growing) - Key indicator for this biome where SOC is relatively high but soil degradation is a threat
- Key resources:
  - Slim Landgebruik for livestock farming: https://slimlandgebruik.nl/maatregelen/veehouderij
Sidama, ETH - coffee - Key indicator for this biome where soil degradation is high
- Key resources:
  - Soil Organic Carbon App (open access tool from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)): https://ciatsocapp.github.io/

Related actions

Restore areas of significant biodiversity value within or adjacent to operations

Support and incentivize regenerative agriculture and sustainable intensification outcomes at sourcing locations

Reduce GHG emissions from operations and land use activities

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize agri-inputs and drive sustainable intensification

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas, in resource extraction and production processes

What's new

Mobilizing Capital for Regenerative Agriculture and Nature: From Metrics to Investment Decisions

Guide for Equitable Farmer Engagement in Scope 3 Decarbonisation

Dr. Ilham Kadri appointed Chair of WBCSD

Soil organic carbon

Framework alignment notes

Target example
i

An example target and the target source are presented to illustrate how a target could be set for this metric. Learn more on the Methodology page.

Sector

Value chain stage

Metric assessment

Additional Metric Notes
i

More details or context about the metric not captured above.

Related actions

Restore areas of significant biodiversity value within or adjacent to operations

Support and incentivize regenerative agriculture and sustainable intensification outcomes at sourcing locations

Reduce GHG emissions from operations and land use activities

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize agri-inputs and drive sustainable intensification

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas, in resource extraction and production processes

Develop and deploy inputs and technology to drive sustainable intensification and regenerative agriculture outcomes

Develop and implement practices to drive regenerative agriculture

Expand sustainable production on degraded lands

Soil organic carbon

Framework alignment notes

Target example i An example target and the target source are presented to illustrate how a target could be set for this metric. Learn more on the Methodology page.

Sector

Value chain stage

Metric assessment

Additional Metric Notes i More details or context about the metric not captured above.

Related actions

Restore areas of significant biodiversity value within or adjacent to operations

Support and incentivize regenerative agriculture and sustainable intensification outcomes at sourcing locations

Reduce GHG emissions from operations and land use activities

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize agri-inputs and drive sustainable intensification

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas

Implement precision technology and practices to optimize water use, particularly in water-stressed areas, in resource extraction and production processes

Develop and deploy inputs and technology to drive sustainable intensification and regenerative agriculture outcomes

Develop and implement practices to drive regenerative agriculture

Expand sustainable production on degraded lands

Target example
i

An example target and the target source are presented to illustrate how a target could be set for this metric. Learn more on the Methodology page.

Additional Metric Notes
i

More details or context about the metric not captured above.