From 06.06. to 09.06.2023. Latvian Fund for Nature representative Jānis Reihmanis within the LIFE CRAFT project went on an experience exchange trip to Helsinki, where he participated in the conference "1st Northern European "4 per 1000" regional meeting: More carbon in the soil for multiple benefits".
The conference was the first regional meeting of the Northern European "4 per 1000" initiative, which was jointly organised by the Baltic Sea Action Group and the "4 per 1000" initiative. It brought together researchers, farmers, NGOs, business representatives and policy makers from all countries in the region. The conference was part of EU Green Week 2023.
"4 per 1000" is an international initiative launched at the Paris Agreement in 2015. The initiative aims to increase soil carbon stocks by 0.4% or 4‰ per year in topsoil at a depth of 30-40 cm. Increasing carbon removal in soil will reduce climate change. It also improves soil health, enhances productivity and ecosystem resilience. It also helps reduce nutrient loads on water bodies such as the Baltic Sea.
Paul Luu, executive secretary of the ”4 per 1000” initiative, pointed out at the opening of the conference: "The aim of the meeting is to promote carbon removal in agricultural soils across all Northern Europe. We want to create a forum for sharing new scientific knowledge, help spark cooperation, and enable exchange between different actors who in their own way and on different levels all promote the transition towards regenerative, productive, highly resilient agriculture."
The program included plenary meetings, three parallel sessions, each focusing on a different issue, poster presentations and a practical examples in the field. Participants could choose between sessions focusing on the implications between soil health, climate, biodiversity and water protection, as well as soil carbon monitoring and organic agricultural soils.