The proposed Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) Activity Module focuses on using biostimulants to sequester carbon in soil. Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that improve natural processes in the soil, enhance crop quality, improve tolerance to abiotic stress, increase nutrient availability, condition the rhizosphere, and promote soil microflora. Biostimulants work by activating and stimulating microorganisms, including fungal flora. These biostimulants must be approved or registered by the relevant authority and backed by peer-reviewed literature or published studies specific to the region or similar regions.
The Activity Module does not limit any other types of sustainable land management practices in the project areas. Only mineral soil types are eligible, and projects can be located anywhere in the world. The module proposes to use Annex 3 of the 2020 FAO SOC MRV protocol in addition to currently accepted protocols. A project applying this module may identify, measure and quantify the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including but not limited to: Water supply and purification (SDG 6), Zero hunger (food security/stabilization of yield) (SDG 2), Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), Life on Land (biodiversity) (SDG 15). This activity modules will be applied in conjunction with Soil Organic Carbon Framework Methodology – Gold Standard for the Global Goals.