Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon

Altre notizie

21/03/2017

Il convegno “Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon (GSOC17): unlocking the potential of mitigating and adapting to a changing climate” si svolgerà presso la FAO a Roma dal 21 al 23 marzo. Si riportano qui sotto le notizie riguardanti l’evento.

FAO is hosting a Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon (GSOC17)at its Headquarters in Rome, Italy on 21 – 23 March 2017. This Symposium, jointly organized by the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and its Science-Policy Interface and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), will welcome over 400 participants.

The Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon will bring together international experts with the aim of reviewing the role of soils and soil organic carbon (SOC) in the context of climate change and sustainable development. It will also build scientific evidence that could be assessed in the regular IPCC Assessment Reports (ARs), starting with the AR6 report and other reports to be produced during the 6th assessment cycle, as well as reporting to UNFCCC, UNCCD and on the SDGs.

The Symposium will be opened by Mr. José Graziano Da Silva (Director-General of FAO), H.E. Jioji Konousi Konrote (President of the Republic of Fiji), Ms. Monique Barbut (Executive Secretary UNCCD), Ms. Patricia Espinosa (UNFCCC Executive Secretary) and Abdalah Mokssit (IPCC Secretary), along with two video messages from Ms. Elena Manaenkova (Deputy Secretary-General, WMO) and Mr. Kamernu Vella (EU Commissioner for Environment). During the first day of the Symposium, the opening and plenary sessions will be interpreted into the 6 FAO languages, while the parallel sessions and side events will be held in English only. Webcast link

During the Symposium more than 100 oral presentations will be given and 30 poster presentations displayed under three main themes:

	THEME 1 \| Measuring, mapping, monitoring and reporting SOC
	THEME 2 \| Maintaining and/or increasing SOC stocks (fostering SOC sequestration) for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and Land Degradation Neutrality
	THEME 3 \| Managing SOC in soils a) with high SOC – peatlands, permafrost, and black soils b) grasslands, and livestock production systems and c) in dryland soils.

In parallel to the GSOC17, two special events will take place: the International Network of Black Soils will be launched on the 21st of March and the World Water Day will be celebrated on the 22nd of March.

Detailed agenda

Video presentation & Book launch

The opening of the symposium will be the occasion to present the new video Soil Organic Carbon, the treasure beneath our feet and launch the book Soil Organic Carbon – the hidden potential. This featured publication aims to provide an overview to decision-makers and practitioners of the main scientific facts and information regarding the current knowledge and information gaps on SOC. It highlights how improved information and good practices could be implemented to support efforts to end hunger and malnutrition, adapt to and mitigate climate change and achieve overall sustainable development.

Expected Outcome

Among the various outcomes of the symposium, the “Unlocking the potential of soil organic carbon” will review the role of soils and SOC management in supporting the climate change and sustainable development agendas. This forward-looking document will present an overview of the state-of-the art in SOC monitoring and reporting, measures to maintain and enhance SOC, and recommendations for managing SOC in ecosystems of special interest (carbon-rich soils, soils in grasslands and livestock production systems, and dryland soils).

Preparation of the Global Soil Organic Carbon Map (GSOCMap)

As a contribution to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 15.3.1, members of the Global Soil Partnership and its ITPS are developing a Global Soil Organic Carbon Map (GSOCMap) to be finalized by December 2017. The GSOCMap will be built upon national soil organic carbon maps that are being developed by member countries according to agreed technical specifications. Capacities on soil organic carbon mapping are being developed through different regional and national on-the-job trainings as part of the establishment of the Global Soil Information System.

Help us spread the word via social media using the #GSOC17!

& Stay tuned for the GSOC17 webcast here