A review of soil C accounting initiatives implemented in EU and extra-EU countries

Soil is an ecological system and a phylogenetic organism that evolved in response to stimuli and changes. It is a precious, fragile, limited and non-renewable resource, since it takes 100 to 1,000 years to produce one centimetre of fertile soil. Soil constitutes the largest existing organic carbon store and, consequently, plays a central role in the global carbon cycle and in the fight against climate change.

However, land degradation has progressed markedly around the world. In fact, studies show that about 33% of the world’s soils are moderately or strongly degraded. An estimated annual global loss of 75 billion tons of fertile soil is caused by erosion, pollution, unsustainable agronomic practices, change of use (e.g. deforestation or conversion from pasture to cultivated land) and sealing of land. More than 12.7% of EU soil is subject to moderate to severe erosion and degradation. Stocks of organic carbon in farmland and the extent of wetlands and peatlands are steadily decreasing.  

Moreover, carbon, in temperate and cold areas of the planet (such as the EU), is stored in greater quantities in the soil rather than in plants’ biomass, while in tropical areas the exact opposite occurs. Therefore, the protection of soil organic carbon is fundamental especially in Europe.

To maintain and increase soil C stocks, agroecological practices should be fostered by European policies and financial mechanisms. Carbon credits represent one of these financial mechanisms, being tradable certificates corresponding to 1 ton of CO₂eq. The methodologies and standards used for the quantification of soil Carbon stocks, aimed at the issuing of corresponding carbon credits are defined as soil C accounting.

In this study, a detailed and critical analysis of soil C accounting initiatives implemented in EU and extra-EU countries has been conducted considering different scales of implementation, C assessment methods and potential barriers.

More specifically, this work aims to:

- in EU: describe the state of carbon accounting legislation and its level of implementation, case studies, relevant and successful EIP Operational Groups;

- identify the critical issues inherent in Carbon Farming (e.g. payment schemes, overlapping of EU public fundings with carbon credits, etc.);
- extra EU: report international case studies of carbon accounting and carbon credits schemes (Australia, Alberta in Canada, Brazil and the United States) to inspire proposals for possible implementation in the EU;
- provide recommendations for future European policies in order to avoid greenwashing and ensure environmental protection.

The outcome is a synthesis of “Lessons Learned” and recommendations for possible transferability of extra-EU initiatives to EU.