Could the planet’s largest living ecosystem also be the solution to climate breakdown? Restoring agricultural soil health is increasingly being labelled as a principle means of carbon sequestration, and preserving biodiversity. This panel will offer perspectives from leading experts on the vital importance of sustainable soil management in humanity’s future, and how what was once considered an inert substance, may be the answer we’ve been looking for. 

Small and marginal farmers are among the most vulnerable to climate shock events. The good news? Sustainable soil management practices can climate proof these farmers whilst making their lands an effective carbon sink. The protocol challenges they face in engaging with the market as individuals can be overcome by coming together. This event will showcase the efforts from various parts of the world in collectivising small and medium scale farmers practising sustainable soil management, and the exciting opportunities that can be unlocked to scale agriculture based climate solutions.

How much does soil health impact human health? Studies have shown that plant nutrition is highly dependent on soil health. When 80% of food consumed by human beings originates from soils, how much we nourish the life beneath our feet may have a major role to play in our own wellbeing. Join leading experts from various aspects of food production to explore this intersection, and the importance of organic matter in ensuring healthy, living soil.

From Rio, to Kyoto to Paris - COP has strived to craft both a voluntary and mandatory carbon market place. However, policies still need to evolve, and challenges remain in facilitating farmers access to carbon finance.

In this unique event, we will explore the steps taken at policy level to date, and how carbon finance can become a mainstream source of income for farmers practising carbon negative agriculture.

Experts discuss financial instruments that are present for farmers to access carbon finance. 
Is transitioning to sustainable soil management practices essential for our survival? Yes. Unfortunately, farmers are not being sufficiently incentivised to make this transition. With inputs from leading experts in the private sector, this session will explore what it will take for different forms of finance to become available to farmers and what investors need to be enthusiastic about getting involved

The need for MRV [Monitoring, Reporting & Verification] tools for Policy makers, Farmers, Businesses and Civil Society to assess value chains and report to consumers

Investing privately in any food system has risks, but can private and public investment models subvert challenges of investing in sustainable soil management practices? This event will explore how risks of such investments can be mitigated. But who will mitigate them?

The Power of Storytelling is being presented by " Kiss the Ground" , an audience-supported nonprofit organization promoting regeneration and healthy soil as a viable solution for our climate, wellness, and water crisis.

It’s not a secret that accessing carbon markets is challenging for many farmers. The existing paradigm requires highly skilled individuals to support developing, registering, validating and auditing a project. What is the true cost for farmers in engaging in these services, how sustainable are they, and what could alternatives be? Join us for this insightful session to discover the answers.

Connecting Climate with Development at Speed and Scale

From carbon sequestration, food security, preserving biodiversity, purifying air, waterways and terrestrial systems - rejuvenating soil health is key to our survival. Join us for a unique session that explores the various benefits humanity can derive from sustainable soil management practices, and how soil health contributes to our entire society. A key question - who should pay farmers for the additional services these methods provide?

Of all the land that is farmed in the world, only 30% of it is used to produce plant based food for human beings. The remaining 70% is used to produce animal based food. Whilst animals play a vital role in helping build soil health, a conscious approach is the need of the hour. This event will discuss animal rearing’s impact on soil health, and its place as a part of the climate solution.

Newday Impact - Ecological Benefits Framework

Measuring and validating farmland health is not an easy process for many farmers. When investors and carbon credit buyers expect professional verifications, this process can be costly and time consuming. Improvements in remote sensing technology may be able to empower farmers' agency - but how long before the technology is trustable by investors? This session will dive into this conversation, and explore the roles governments and investors have to play.

The COP29 Youth Roundtable, "Voices of the Future," will bring together youth changemakers to share their journeys, ideas, and commitment to environmental preservation, with a particular focus on soil health. This session will feature a semi-formal, interactive discussion led by Vaibhav. The roundtable aims to provide a platform for young leaders to discuss personal motivations, insights, and collective actions needed to combat ecological degradation, including the critical issue of soil conservation.

Save Soil will be on the panel.

Join us for Soil Speaks: The Power of Multimedia, an inspiring event hosted by Save Soil, where storytelling, science, and multimedia converge to amplify soil’s voice. Through compelling films, expert talks, and interactive media, we’ll explore how soil health impacts everything from climate resilience to food security. Discover how the Save Soil movement and Big Picture Ranch’s award-winning filmmakers  of Kiss the Ground, use multimedia to bring the urgent need for soil regeneration to a global audience. Let’s unite for the soil that sustains us all—experience its story and be part of the solution!

Join us at COP29 for a special event featuring renowned expert Patrick Holden as he shares his invaluable knowledge and expertise on soil health. Learn how sustainable farming practices can help combat climate change and create a more resilient food system. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from one of the leading voices in sustainable agriculture.

Speakers -

Mahathi Aguvaveedi, Communications and Policy, Save Soil

David Giles, Youth Policy Specialist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Upendra Bhusal, Nepal Representative, Young Professionals for Agricultural Development

Helena Van Tichelen, International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences

Moderator -

Vaibhav Pramode Nair, Conscious Planet

Existing financial instruments hold promise for supporting climate-resilient agriculture, but they often fall short in scale and accessibility. What can be done to amplify their impact and make them more practical for farmers? Further, agriculture's critical role in climate solutions is hindered by significant financing gaps. Therefore, this event explores existing solutions and gaps in climate finance for agriculture, as well as strategies to ensure that investments can drive widespread adoption of sustainable practices.

Current climate finance often relies on outcome-based compensation, where farmers are rewarded based on measurable environmental results, such as carbon sequestration. However, this approach can be restrictive and uncertain, especially for small-scale farmers who face challenges in meeting strict outcome requirements. Process-based compensation offers an alternative, rewarding farmers for adopting sustainable practices that have proven to lead to beneficial outcomes. This panel will explore the limitations of outcome-based compensation, discuss the potential of process-based models, and examine the barriers preventing their widespread adoption in agricultural finance.

Over the past year, significant strides have been made in enhancing farmers' resilience to climate change through sustainable soil management and collective action. While the evolution of carbon finance policies has opened new avenues for farmers, market access challenges persist. What innovative measures and protocol changes have been implemented to ease these barriers? And how can they be scaled to ensure carbon farming becomes a reliable income source for small-scale farmers worldwide? This session will explore recent achievements and the necessary steps forward to establish agriculture as a key player in climate solutions.

PLANET SOIL is a groundbreaking documentary that unveils the vital, yet often overlooked, world beneath our feet. With more living creatures in a teaspoon of soil than there are people on Earth, this ecosystem is essential for supporting all life on our planet. By showcasing the interconnectedness, immense potential and strength of soil organisms, the film inspires us to reimagine our relationship with nature. It offers tangible solutions to improve soil health, combat climate change, and enhance food security. Planet Soil is a global wake-up call, urging us to protect and restore our soils for a sustainable future. This film challenges viewers to embrace the power of the underground and make a positive impact on our planet. Planet Soil makes this unseen world seen

This panel brings together country representatives to share experiences and challenges in addressing soil degradation. This session fosters global knowledge sharing and collaboration, exploring national initiatives, barriers, and successes in soil conservation. Through open dialogue, participants will gain insights into effective policies, programs, and strategies implemented by nations worldwide, highlighting opportunities for improved soil health, sustainable land use, and environmental resilience.

Save Soil is a part of the panel.

Save Soil is a part of the panel.

Could the planet’s largest living ecosystem also be the solution to climate breakdown? Restoring agricultural soil health is increasingly being labeled as a principle means of carbon sequestration, and preserving biodiversity. This panel will offer perspectives from leading experts on the vital importance of sustainable soil management in humanity’s future, and how what was once considered an inert substance, may be the answer we’ve been looking for.

This fireside chat will explore the pivotal role that media plays in driving the global regenerative transition, with a special focus on soil health and sustainable agriculture. As the world grapples with climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degradation, journalists have the unique power to shape public discourse, raise awareness, and influence policy. This discussion will dive into the challenges and opportunities for media to highlight soil health as a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture and a vital solution for climate resilience.

This panel explores pioneering initiatives in agriculture and the pressing issues surrounding soil health and food security, highlighting how regenerative practices, technological advancements, and policy changes are shaping the future of farming. The discussion will also examine the critical role of healthy soil in providing sustainable, nutrient-rich food, emphasizing the interconnection between soil health, agricultural resilience, and human well-being.