This document summarizes a symposium on soil organic carbon sequestration in Africa. It discusses objectives to map projects assessing carbon storage practices, share lessons learned, and promote knowledge exchange. Participants agreed more information is needed at the local level and coordination is lacking across initiatives. Projects from 22 countries were mapped. Suggested solutions included joint meetings, collaborative planning, knowledge sharing platforms, and incentives for private sector involvement. Building the evidence base on indicators like infiltration and developing educational materials were also discussed.

1. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Healthy Living Soil Session
With the support ofNAME1

2. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Objectives
• To map projects assessing the effectiveness of practices to maintain and
enhance SOC, sharing lessons learned for scaling
• To suggest how regional and global initiatives can support the
implementation of appropriate practices and the improvement of
capacities and skills
• To promote platforms for the exchange of knowledge, experience and expertise, for
the benefit of all stakeholders.
• To encourage and promote sustainable activities for the restoration / conservation /
protection / enhancement of land, biodiversity, water resources and forests through
the efficient management of natural resources ;
• To map out current indicators and methods used to assess SOC
• What elements are considered most important for an assessment tool?
• What is currently being used?

3. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Gathering Perspectives

4. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Results
• We currently have enough information on SOC
sequestration processes under various
management practices.
Agree
Fully
Agree
Somewhat
Neutral
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree
Fully
0 4 2 6 7
Notes: While data may be lacks it should not prevent us from
implementing in on-the-ground
Who is the we: Do the farmers for example have enough information?

5. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Results
• We already know which practices are best at
maintaining/increasing SOC.
Agree
Fully
Agree
Somewhat
Neutral
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree
Fully
0 7 7 6 0
Note: Context specific knowledge is still needed – at
the local farm level

6. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Results
• There is excellent coordination across institutes,
initiatives, governments for promoting SOC.
Agree
Fully
Agree
Somewhat
Neutral
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree
Fully
0 0 5 5 10
Notes: Bridges are needed to reach the farmers,
Need for simply messaging to link the initiatives – SDG 17

7. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Mapping Projects across Dimensions
22 Projects Mapped From Policy to M&E to Research
in Development to Implementation to Research

8. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Sharing Lessons Learned
• Monitoring over time
is important
• Creating tools for
sharing
information/evidence
• Simple messaging for
policy
• Others…

9. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
How can regional and global initiatives
better support these projects/ programs?

10. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Voting on Solutions

11. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Suggested Solutions for Improving
Effectiveness and the role of Initiatives
• Organize joint regional meeting of initiatives and donors to improve synergies
and collaborations (11) Communication!
• Collaborative planning tools and implementation process to capitalize on
strengths (9)
• Use global initiatives to influence national and regional policy ***
• Create platforms for sharing knowledge between initiatives (9)
• Including monitoring and sharing data
• Create incentives for private sector to show business opportunity ->
Government allocation, donors (9)
• Build trust among practitioners/ partners (9)
• Clarify resources, roles

12. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Building the Evidence Base
• Additional indicators:
• Related to water quality &
infiltration capacity
• Soil cover
• Use of remote sensing
• Tracking change over time
• Address the drivers of
degradation
• Soil Biology
• Cost/ Benefits
• Social + Economic indicators
• Call for open data to
provide the evidence base!
• Build on and improve
existing databases such as
WOCAT

13. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Building on Expertise from other
programs
• Developing joint communication materials from the
farm to policy level, including educational materials
for high school to university
• Environmental documentaries

14. « 4 per 1000 » Africa Symposium
Johannesburg, 24-26th October 2018
With the support of
Last thoughts
• Much more strategic focus to get everyone on
planet working together
• From SOC to water
• Finding synergies to share funding
• Address the communication gap from farmers to
policy makers
• Engage policy makers
• Others from the audience