A Decade of the “4 per 1000” Initiative

The International “4 per 1000” Initiative, launched by France on December 1, 2015 during COP21, highlights the crucial role agriculture—particularly agricultural soils—can play in ensuring food security and combating climate change.

The initiative brings together voluntary actors from across the public and private sectors, including governments, local authorities, companies, professional organizations, NGOs, and research institutions. Operating within the framework of the Lima-Paris Action Plan, it is grounded in strong scientific evidence and calls on all partners to implement concrete actions that enhance soil carbon storage.

Regeneration International has been engaged with the initiative since its inception. André Leu was among the original signatories in Paris in 2015, marking the organization’s early commitment. Ercilia Sahores has played a key leadership role: she has served as Vice President of the initiative for the past two years and is set to become President for a two-year term beginning in 2026.

During her tenure as Vice President, Ercilia chaired the 9th Day of the “4 per 1000” Initiative, a milestone event that showcased presentations, inspiring stories, and reflections on both the achievements and challenges of the initiative’s first decade.

The international “4 per 1000” Initiative Soils for food security and climate

The “4 per 1000” Initiative: Soils for Food Security and Climate continues to demonstrate that healthy soils are not only the foundation of sustainable agriculture but also a powerful tool in the global response to climate change.