Organized by
Re Soil Foundation, European Circular Bioeconomy Policy Initiative (ECBPI) Chimica Verde Bionet and Kyoto Club

As reported by the EU Mission Soil Health and Food, 25% of European land is at high risk of desertification. This can lead to the collapse of the landscape and ecosystems, making societies more vulnerable to extreme events and risks for food security. The costs associated with land degradation in the EU exceed € 50 billion per year. To reverse this trend, the circular bioeconomy can play a key role “to make more with less”, restoring soil fertility, decarbonising the economy and creating new income opportunities ensuring an efficient use of resources. The first session of the event aims to provide an overview of the European policy framework related to soil protection and zero pollution strategies, starting with a presentation of the EU Mission Soil Health and Food.

The second session of the web conference will focus on best practices in the areas of sustainable agriculture and the role of urban systems to restore soil fertility and forest the transition to the circular economy.

PROGRAM

Introduction by Roberto Moncalvo, Re Soil Foundation, and Sofia Mannelli, Chimica Verde Bionet. The European Framework

• The EU Mission Soil Health and Food – Kerstin Rosenow, Head of Unit DG Agri, Prof. Angelo Riccaboni, National Delegate to the Mission Soil Health and Food
• The EU carbon farming initiative – József Iván, Policy Officer – DGAgri
• The EU action plan for organic farming – Elena Panichi, Head of Unit Organic Farming – DG Agri
• Prospects and develpment of organic agriculture in Europe – Eduardo Cuoco, Director IFOAM EU
• Towards a European directive on soil protection – Martin Hojsik, MEP

Circular Bioeconomy best practices

Introduction – David Newman, ECBPI, Managing Director

• Towards a more sustainable agriculture practices – APAEMA Islas Baleares – Speaker tbc
• The Research & Innovation network for soil quality promoted by Re Soil: a case study – Francesco Pascale, Terra Felix
• Assessing sustainable agricultural practices on marginal dryland through the soil carbon stock dynamic – Claudia Di Bene, CREA – Research Centre for Agricolture and Environment
• What agricultural systems can do to recover urban vacant lands: experiences in Bologna – Prof. Prosdocimi Gianquinto, University of Bologna
• Q&A – chair Chimica Verde Bionet – Beppe Croce, Director of Chimica Verde Bionet

Conclusions by Roberto Moncalvo, Re Soil Foundation and Roberto Ferrigno, ECBPI