Global Soil Partnership.

Global Soil Partnership The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) has been developed in response to the renewed recognition of the central role of soil resources as a basis for food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustaining biodiversity and bioenergy production along, with provisioning of other key ecosystem services. Despite the role of the soil resource in these important environmental and societal activities, soil as a natural resource is still seen as a second-tier priority without an international governance body that can advocate for and coordinate initiatives to ensure that knowledge and recognition of soils are appropriately represented in global and regional dialogues and decision making processes. The GSP is a central body in the coordination of a strong partnership to maintain healthy soils required for feeding the growing population of the world and meeting their needs for biomass, fiber, fodder, and other products. The concept of the GSP is being been facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and has developed interactive, responsive and voluntary partnership that is open to governments, regional organizations, institutions and other stakeholders at various levels. Within this structure important partnerships are being developed. The GSP has developed five specific pillars of action that will support the process leading to the adoption of sustainable development goals for soils. These goals will contribute to environmental well being of the soil resource through the prevention of soil erosion and degradation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting carbon sequestration and promoting sustainable use of agricultural inputs for soil health and ecosystems management. Work plans have been developed for all five pillars. These work plans will be discussed and voted on for implementation by the Global Soil Partnership Plenary Assembly in July 2014. All Pillar work plans have had representation and input from the US. Of particular interest, Soil Taxonomy is recognized as a GSP supported system of soil classification within Pillar 5.