Soil is the foundation of our ecosystems, underpinning food production, water filtration, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and overall ecosystem resilience. Yet, financing for soil conservation and restoration has been fragmented and insufficient. This gap leaves farmers - especially smallholder farmers, who manage 24% of global agricultural land and produce over 30% of the world’s food - facing significant barriers to accessing financial support. The transition to regenerative practices, while essential for improving soil health, often leads to a short-term yield decrease before long-term benefits are realized. Without adequate support, many farmers struggle to bridge this gap. 

This side event will focus on mobilizing resources and innovative financing mechanisms to support soil health and land restoration at multiple scales - from farm-level initiatives to national and international strategies. We will explore how healthy soil can act as a critical ally in climate mitigation and adaptation, combating drought, conserving biodiversity, food security, and achieving the goals of Land Degradation Neutrality. The discussion will align with COP16’s agenda, particularly in terms of enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and communities to drought and desertification, with a strong emphasis on soil health and land restoration as a key strategy to achieve this resilience.  

Key areas of discussion will include emerging finance mechanisms such as carbon markets, repurposing subsidies, legislation, and blended finance approaches. The event will explore practical strategies for scaling soil health initiatives, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive policy environment to attract and mobilize investments. The focus will be on actionable financial solutions that can be implemented at scale, directly benefiting farmers and ecosystems. 

The event will present concrete solutions that have been implemented on the ground, for example in the African context. The event will convene investors, policymakers, and practioners to explore concrete strategies that support farmers in their transition to sustainable land management and regenerative systems, thereby contributing to the overarching goals of the COP16.

Speakers:

• Leigh Winowiecki, Soil and Land Theme Leader, CIFOR-ICRAF and Co-Lead of CA4SH
• Paul Luu, Executive Secretary, International “4 per 1000” Initiative 
• Ermias Betemariam, CIFOR-ICRAF
• Andrew Morris, Executive Director, BSSS
• Joao Campari, Global Leader, Food & Agriculture Practice, WWF International 
• Beatriz Azevedo de Araújo, UNCCD Land Hero 
• Claire Brosnihan, Climate, Food Systems, and Gender Lead, One Acre Fund 
• Lieke Verhofstad, Rabobank 
• IUAF 
• Tom Williams, Director, Food and Agriculture, WBCSD