Summary
This 2019 international review examines the 4p1000 initiative—a proposal to increase global soil organic carbon stocks by 0.4% annually—as a potential mechanism for climate mitigation and sustainable development. The authors synthesise evidence across diverse farming systems and regions on the agronomic, environmental and socio-economic opportunities and constraints for SOC sequestration, presenting a nuanced assessment of both the initiative's potential and its realistic limitations for implementation.
Regional applicability
The review's findings on SOC sequestration feasibility, agronomic trade-offs and policy enablers are relevant to UK farming systems and climate targets. However, UK-specific climate, soil type and socio-economic contexts would require localised assessment of sequestration potential and the practical and financial incentives needed to motivate farmer adoption.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon stocks and sequestration rates; agronomic feasibility; environmental co-benefits; socio-economic constraints and opportunities across farming systems and regions
Outcomes reported
The study assessed opportunities, limitations and challenges for implementing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration through the 4p1000 initiative framework across diverse farming systems and regions. It synthesised evidence on agronomic, environmental and socio-economic factors affecting the feasibility of achieving 0.4% annual increases in global soil organic carbon stocks.
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