THE STATES GENERAL FOR SOIL HEALTH – 2nd edition.
Sustainable carbon cycles – Healthy soils for a climate-neutral economy. NATIONAL SESSION

Soil protection is crucial to achieve the challenging and undelayable goals set by the EU Climate Law, which foresees climate neutrality by 2050. The European Soil Monitoring Law, presented by the EC in July 2023, as part of the EU soil strategy for 2030, represents a key step toward healthy soils and sets the path for EU Member States that are expected to act in the same direction. Among other things, the European Commission, DG CLIMA, focuses on sustainable carbon cycles with measures to support new nature-based removals, as carbon farming.

In this scenario, technologies for nature-based solutions increasing soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon (SOC), an EU-wide harmonised framework embedding carbon farming, soil carbon storage and sustainable biomass growth, the development of an EU carbon market, as well as efficient and harmonized data and monitoring systems are key elements to implement concrete programmes aimed at restoring soil health.

In Italy public awareness toward the importance of soils is increasing, partially triggered by multiple projects that are working in synergy at the local, national, and European level to set the course for soil regeneration and improve soil literacy, supported by the efforts of soil ambassadors and communities of practice. In 2024, Italy will also be the host Country of a key event for soil science: The Centennial Celebration and Congress of the International Union of Soil Sciences, which will take place on May 19-21 in Florence.

Building upon the successful experience of last year, which led to the development of “The States general for soil health wrap up document” outlining the priorities for soil health, Re Soil Foundation (founded by University of Bologna, Coldiretti, Novamont and Turin Polytechnic), JRC and Ecomondo Scientific Technical Committee launch in Rimini the second States General for Soil Health conference.

The second edition of the States General for Soil Health – “Sustainable carbon cycles – Healthy soils for a climate-neutral economy” will take place on 9th November 2023, with the aim of presenting the latest European policy update and providing an overview of the key elements needed to support a successful soil strategy, such as carbon farming and soil data monitoring systems, in the morning session, and a focus on the Italian scenario in the afternoon, including an overview of the actions taken at the national level toward the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” 100 living labs and lighthouse farms goal to improve soil health (according to APRE, Italy is the second most successful country in the Horizon Mission Soil Calls 2021-2022).

National Afternoon Session

Session Chairs

Walter Ganapini, Honorary Member Scientific Committee European Environment Agency
Anna Luise, DG GLO ISPRA

Programme

14.30-14.50 Welcome by the Chairs

14.45-15.15 The Status of soil in Italy

State of soils in Italy and major threats
Michele Munafò, SINA Manager, ISPRA

EU Directive on Soil monitoring and resilience: what impacts can we expect on soils legislation and monitoring systems in Italy
Francesca Assennato, ISPRA

SoilHUB project updates
Roberta Farina, SoilHUB Coordinator, CREA

15.15-16.00 Best practices of soil regeneration in Italy

The Po region: the state of land use and basin planning  
Alessandro Bratti, Segretario Generale dell'Autorità distrettuale del Fiume Po

Farming for Future: farmers experiences with biogas for soil health
Piero Gattoni, Presidente Consorzio Italiano Biogas

Massimo Centemero, CIC (TBC)

Case studies of lighthouse farms in Italy
Benito Scazziota, Società agricola Terzeria
Gabriele Geromel, Villarasca Neorurale

16.00-16.50 Panel discussion

Moderated by Serena Borgna, Cluster 6 Coordinator, APRE – Soil Mission projects in Italy 

PREPSOIL – The Po Region
Sara Guerrini, Re Soil Foundation

Nati00ns – Toward 100 living labs and lighthouse farms
Andrea Arcidiacono, Politecnico di Milano

ECHO
Tanja Mimmo, Università di Bolzano

Fertimanure
Fabrizio Adani, Gruppo Ricicla, Università degli Studi di Milano – DiSAA

16.50-17.00 The importance of soil literacy

The SOILAB experience
Speaker from Ecofficina (TBC)

17.00 Conclusions