Soil, Environmental Health, and Climate Change
Restoring soil health, protecting ecosystem services, and building climate resilience through data-informed agroecological practices.
Introduction
This pillar anchors the foundation of sustainable and resilient food systems by focusing on the restoration of soil health, protection of ecosystem services, and climate adaptation and mitigation. Healthy soils are living ecosystems that drive nutrient cycling, water retention, and carbon sequestration—functions critical to sustaining agricultural productivity and climate stability.
Degraded soils, biodiversity loss, and unpredictable climate shocks directly threaten food production, farmer livelihoods, and long-term food security. In the context of Transformational Investing in Food Systems (TIFS), this pillar is essential because it addresses the biophysical risks that undermine the effectiveness and return on any investment.
No matter how efficient financial systems, logistics, or market access become, investments in food systems will not yield impact or scale unless rooted in ecologically sound landscapes. By restoring soil fertility, protecting watersheds, and buffering against climate extremes, this pillar creates a stable and regenerative base upon which agroecological enterprises, digital innovations, and nutritional outcomes can thrive.
Key Activities
Critical Data Sets
Soil health data: pH, nutrient levels (NPK), organic matter content, bulk density, microbial activity, contamination levels
Land use and cover change (LUCC): satellite imagery and historical data showing deforestation, cropping patterns, and encroachment
Climate data: rainfall patterns, temperature fluctuations, extreme weather frequency, drought indices
Agro-ecological zoning maps: to guide what practices are suitable where
Ecosystem health indicators: water quality, biodiversity indices, erosion levels
Carbon sequestration potential: to track GHG reduction efforts and link to carbon markets
Timeline
2-5 years for full implementation