States general for soil health – IV edition – Circular bioeconomy and opportunities for soil regeneration

The circular bioeconomy, which arises from the ground and returns to the ground, can play a key role to improve soil health and functions, not only thanks to its low-environmental-impact bioproducts, but also through the enhancement of organic matter and the closure of the carbon cycle. In this context, sustainable management of soils, protection of biodiversity and ecosystems, can contribute to foster resilience and adaptation to climate changes.

Building upon the successful experience of last three years, the fourth edition of the “States General for Soil Health – Circular bioeconomy and opportunities for soil regeneration” will provide the latest European policy updates, including the recently launched “Soil Monitoring Law”, the updated “European Bioeconomy strategy” and the “Vision for Agriculture and Food”, the positive impacts that the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” is generating at the European and Italian level, and an overview of projects that connect soil health, agriculture and innovation in Europe and Africa.

Session Chairs

Luca Montanarella, INSII and Re Soil Foundation TSC 
Margherita Caggiano, Re Soil Foundation

Program

10.00 Welcome
Fabio Fava, Coordinator of National Bioeconomy Coordination Board
Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (TBD)

10.20 Keynote
Stefano Masini, Coldiretti 

10.35 Introduction by the Chairs

European Policy updates

10.45-10.55 Soil Monitoring Law
 Annalisa Corrado, Shadow rapporteur (TBC)

10.55-11.05 Vision for agriculture and food
Ricard Ramon, DG AGRI (TBC)

11.05-11.15
Panos Panagos, JRC (TBC)

11.15-11.25 The EU Mission “A Soil deal for Europe” (online)
(TBC)

11.30-12.10 Impacts of the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” on Italian soils

Pier Paolo Roggero, UniSS
Speaker, Mission Soil Living Lab (TBC)
Speaker, Mission Soil Urban Living Lab (TBC)
Matteo Mazzola, Mission Soil Ambassador

12.10-12.45 Funded projects on soil regeneration

12.10-12.20 Bio-based in Soil applications with Optimal biodegradation in their Ultimate Life – The SOUL project
Sara Guerrini, Novamont 

12.20-12.30 AUSO project (winning project of HORIZON-MISS-2024-SOIL-01-09: Assessment of Soil Health in Africa)
Speaker, Wageningen University (TBD)

12.30-12.40 EU Horizon Projects Leading Soil Health Innovation
Humberto Castillo-González, Université Marie et Louis Pasteur

12.45 Discussion and closure by the Chairs