We propose a practical framework that governments can adapt to create a national soil security strategy. Soil sustains food production, water supplies, biodiversity and climate regulation, yet responsibility for its care is often scattered across agencies. We aim to bring these responsibilities together through coordinated policy and action.
Our approach embraces five dimensions of soil security. Capacity describes what a soil can naturally do; condition describes its present state relative to that potential; capital recognises its value; connectivity concerns people’s knowledge, relationships and stewardship; and codification concerns laws and institutions. Together, these dimensions link the physical soil resource with the economic, social and political circumstances that shape its future.
We organise the strategy around five practical components: monitoring and assessment; land use planning that considers soil; valuing soil services; preventing threats and restoring damaged soil; and involving people in stewardship. Monitoring should compare current condition with appropriate reference soils and assess functions, services and threats. Its findings should inform decisions and trigger action.
We recommend assessing the soil consequences of development, recognising the benefits soil provides, and preventing degradation before costly restoration becomes necessary. Farmers, Indigenous peoples, scientists, businesses and communities should help shape priorities, supported by education, shared information and accountable institutions.
We also outline a flexible implementation pathway, with overlapping phases for building foundations, putting measures into practice, expanding them and reviewing progress. Countries would adapt soil roles and indicators, funding and governance to their circumstances. Our message is that securing soil requires sustained investment, clear responsibilities and evidence of improvement.
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