The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) officially opened the 10th International Contaminated Site Remediation Conference in Adelaide, Australia
The International CleanUp Conference 2024 was hosted by crcCARE and one of the top 27 soil experts from the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), Laureate Professor Ravi Naidu. It was one of the largest soil pollution conferences in the Asia-Pacific and one of the most influential globally. Known for uniting leading experts from industry, government, and academia, the event focused on practical solutions to environmental challenges. This year’s conference, held from 16 to 19 September in Adelaide, Australia, attracted 750 participants from 35 countries and featured 210 presentations on cutting edge topics ranging from innovative technologies and reduce methane emissions in livestock to effective communication strategies for engaging local communities on pollution issues.
One of the key highlights of the conference was a full day workshops, attended by over 100 participants. The interactive workshops covered critical areas such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution, soil sampling, site characterization, human health risk assessment, and soil remediation. The workshops provided hands on exercises, case study insights, and lively discussions, enhancing knowledge exchange across the environmental remediation community.
Participants represented a diverse array of stakeholders, including consultants, contractors, technology providers, government agencies, scientists, policy experts, and legal and financial specialists, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of soil and water remediation.
FAO contributions
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)’s Global Soil Partnership (GSP) made a significant impact at the conference. Natalia Rodriguez Eugenio and Sergejus Ustinov represented FAO and GSP during the opening ceremony, underscoring the organization's commitment to tackling global soil pollution. Ms. Rodriguez Eugenio delivered the prestigious Brian Robinson Commemorative Lecture titled “One Planet, One Health: Uncovering the Impact of Pollution from the Soil to the Soul.” Her presentation focused on FAO’s work within the One Health framework, a collaborative approach involving FAO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), aimed at transforming agrifood systems to safeguard the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment. Topics covered included sustainable agriculture, animal and plant health, food safety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and food security.
The GSP also highlighted its initiatives, particularly through the International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP) and the Global Soil Doctors Programme. These initiatives foster global collaboration and knowledge sharing to tackle soil pollution and promote sustainable soil management (SSM) practices.
Addressing emerging contaminants
As agrochemical production rises, and concerns grow over emerging contaminants such as PFAS, microplastics, and AMR, the GSP is focused on preventing further soil pollution from these contaminants and halting soil degradation. Through SSM practices and advocacy for stronger soil governance, the GSP aims to address these challenges. The conference offered a platform to strengthen partnerships and attract experts to join INSOP, highlighting the need for collaboration among researchers, governments, and policymakers to tackle these critical environmental issues. The conference also provided a great opportunity for networking and technology transfer, as over 50 companies showcased their latest innovations in pollution cleanup, water and waste treatment.
By participating in the CleanUp 2024 Conference, the GSP reinforced its commitment to promoting soil health and advancing global efforts to prevent, control and mitigate soil pollution, ensuring a better environment and a better life for all.