CARBON 4 SOIL QUALITY: Capturing and Storing Atmospheric CO2 for Improvement of Soil Quality

CARBON 4 SOIL QUALITY project will prepare "Toolbox for carbon farming" consisting of (i) Catalogue of soil organic reference values, (ii) Methodology for organic carbon analysis and soil quality monitoring (iii), Guidelines for carbon farming techniques, (iv) carbon farming business models, (v) Recommendations on agriculture carbon credit schemes and environmental certification systems. Action plan will be prepared on the transnational level to properly plan testing phase. It will consider at least 5 testing sites in different countries, including at least one IPA country and one new Interreg Euro-MED territory. Transnational cooperation is needed for studying different Mediterranean climate zones (sub-tropical, oceanic, semi-arid, arid), different erosion conditions and different types of soil. Project follow-up will test carbon farming techniques to support farmers with practical knowledge, how to increase soil organic matter. This will improve plant nutrients, increase soil water storage and provide good habitat for soil living organisms, which enhances soil biodiversity. Carbon farming is considered as one of the European Green Deal climate actions and related EU policies will be developed in the 2023-2030 period. If approved, this project could become SUSTIAINABLE SOIL MANAGEMENT lighthouse example of Euro-MED territory and showcase for the EU.