Soil Organic Carbon & Carbon Sequestration

Soil holds more carbon than the atmosphere and all the world's vegetation combined, which makes it one of the most powerful levers available for tackling climate change while improving farm productivity. When organic matter accumulates faster than it breaks down, soils draw down atmospheric carbon and lock it away in stable forms — a process that simultaneously boosts fertility, structure, and water retention. The Soil Organic Carbon & Carbon Sequestration session digs into the science of how carbon enters, stabilises, and persists in soils, and what farming practices can tip the balance toward storage rather than loss.

Not all soil carbon is equal, and not all gains are permanent. Distinguishing labile fractions from stable, protected carbon is central to understanding what can realistically be sequestered and for how long. Those attending this Agriculture Conference will explore the practices that build lasting stocks — reduced disturbance, continuous cover, organic amendments, and diverse rotations — alongside the limits and risks of reversal. With soil carbon storage positioned as both a climate solution and an agronomic asset, the session connects researchers, growers, and project developers around the shared goal of keeping more carbon in the ground.