Dear Members of the Global Forum and the Intergovernmental Technical Pannel on Soils,
These Guidelines are a good start to promote and support the global adoption of sustainable soil management practices. The input to further complete and develop these guidelines requires multidisciplinary competences which may need an extension of the on-line consultation. Alternatively these guidelines could be considered a lively document to be revised while the various Regions develop the five pillars of action's implementation plans.
For consistency these VG for Sustainable Soil Management need also to address other SDGs (please see a mapping of the SDGs in soil and land in the attached file) for example:
i) SDG Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, and it corresponding Target 3.9: by 2030 substantially reduce the number of deaths and ilness from hazardous chemicals and air, water and sopil pollution and conatmination,
and
ii) SDG Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns and its corresponding target 12.4: by 202o, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throught their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human heatlh and environment.
These Guidelines focus mainly on the sustainable management of agricultural soils while is neglecting the high impact of the local soil contamination on the human health and the environment. As indicated in the Chapter 6.3 of the "Status of World Soil Resources" both aspects of local and difuse contamination should be covered.
Specific comments
On page 15 (Zero draft VGSSM) on section 3.8 Guidelines for neutralization of soil contamination last phrase..."This requirement is consistent with principles 2 and 5 of the World Soil Charter". When reading the WOrld Soil Charter Section II. Principles the numbering does not correspond with the reference in page 15 (Zero draft VGSSM). I do not understand the intention of the authors, I propose to quote paragraph 6. "The implementation of soil managementdecisions is typically made locally and occurs within widely differing socio-economic contexts. The development of specific measures appropriate for adoptionby local decision-makers often requires multi-level, interdisciplinary initiatives by many stakeholders. A strong commitment to including local and indigenous knowledge is critical."
Disclaimer "This is my personal opinion and does not represent the opinion of the European Commission".
Dear Members of the Global Forum and the Intergovernmental Technical Pannel on Soils,
These Guidelines are a good start to promote and support the global adoption of sustainable soil management practices. The input to further complete and develop these guidelines requires multidisciplinary competences which may need an extension of the on-line consultation. Alternatively these guidelines could be considered a lively document to be revised while the various Regions develop the five pillars of action's implementation plans.
For consistency these VG for Sustainable Soil Management need also to address other SDGs (please see a mapping of the SDGs in soil and land in the attached file) for example:
i) SDG Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, and it corresponding Target 3.9: by 2030 substantially reduce the number of deaths and ilness from hazardous chemicals and air, water and sopil pollution and conatmination,
and
ii) SDG Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns and its corresponding target 12.4: by 202o, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throught their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human heatlh and environment.
These Guidelines focus mainly on the sustainable management of agricultural soils while is neglecting the high impact of the local soil contamination on the human health and the environment. As indicated in the Chapter 6.3 of the "Status of World Soil Resources" both aspects of local and difuse contamination should be covered.
Specific comments
On page 15 (Zero draft VGSSM) on section 3.8 Guidelines for neutralization of soil contamination last phrase..."This requirement is consistent with principles 2 and 5 of the World Soil Charter". When reading the WOrld Soil Charter Section II. Principles the numbering does not correspond with the reference in page 15 (Zero draft VGSSM). I do not understand the intention of the authors, I propose to quote paragraph 6. "The implementation of soil managementdecisions is typically made locally and occurs within widely differing socio-economic contexts. The development of specific measures appropriate for adoptionby local decision-makers often requires multi-level, interdisciplinary initiatives by many stakeholders. A strong commitment to including local and indigenous knowledge is critical."
Disclaimer "This is my personal opinion and does not represent the opinion of the European Commission".