This document discusses MRV (Measurement, Reporting and Verification) systems for soil organic carbon and soil carbon sequestration. It provides an overview of where current MRV systems and guidance are, including the IPCC guidelines, and what is still missing to fully utilize soils in climate mitigation efforts. Specifically, it notes that a clear signal of support from policymakers could help scale up investments in research, pilot projects and adoption of soil health practices. The unique opportunity presented by the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture to provide such a conclusion at COP could be a game-changer for soils to be fully considered in NDCs.

1. Webinar: Soil carbon sequestration in the Nationally Determined
Contributions
CCAFS, 4p1000, BLE
2-3 pm (CEST) 8-9 am ET (GMT – 5), Wednesday 22 April 2020
MRV of Soil Organic Carbon: where we are and what is missing?
Martial Bernoux
Climate and Environment division

2. A MRV system refers to any process or system which aims to assess and monitor the
impacts of mitigation measures and/or the support provided (measuring) and to
document this information in a transparent way (reporting), so that it can be examined
for accuracy (verification).
M = Measurement (or estimation), sometime “Measuring” or “Monitoring”
R = Reporting (at different level: national, international,…)
V = Verification (sometime Verifying) includes Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA)
What is MRV?
MRV of national inventory (e.g. sources and sinks of GHG)
MRV of policy (e.g. NAMA, mitigation measures)
MRV of project (CDM, …)
MRV of implementation (e.g. financial flow)
MRV of a REDD-plus activities
… MRV of soil carbon …
or more broadly MRV of soil C sequestration and GHG fluxes related to soil management
MRV of actions in the Paris Agreement context and ETF

3. Criteria to respect
Consistency: Same methodology apply along years and uses consistent datasets
Completeness: All GHG and all sinks and sources category are reported
Accuracy: Not biased and reduced uncertainty as far as possible
Transparency: Assumptions, hypothesis and methodologies used are explained
and documented
Comparability: Comparable methods should be used by all stakeholders of
the MRV system
Guidance from the Task Force on National GHG Inventories (TFI) which main objective is to develop and refine an
internationally-agreed methodology and software for the calculation and reporting of national GHG emissions and removal
The Guidelines evolved concomitantly with UNFCCC/KP and PA needs and decisions
1995
2019

4. But some invariant principles for AFOLU
For CH4 and N2O
Only fluxes

5. But some invariant principles for AFOLU
But for (most) CO2
Mass balance approach
Carbon
Carbon
time
DC/Dtime = CO2 emissions
1 year
=
Above Ground Biomass
Litter
Soil (> 30 cm)
Below Ground Biomass
Dead wood
5 compartments/pools

6. But some invariant principles for AFOLU
But for (most) CO2
Soil is the major pool in
Cropland and Grassland
Soil (> 30 cm)

7. Estimated results Verified results
Forest Cropland
time
Soil C
stock
measure
Estimate+
validation
Where are we?
Soils are in Volume 4 (AFOLU)
https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2019rf/vol4.html
• Updated References SOC stocks for mineral soils
• New Tier 2 method (based on simple soil C model)
• Examples of Tier 3 approaches (Australia, Finland, Japan, USA)
• Updated and new scaling factors: default stock change factors for land use (FLU), input (FI) and management (FMG)
The Tier 2 steady-state method, based on a soil
C model, features intermediate complexity
between Tier 1 and Tier 3 methods

8. Estimated results Verified results
Forest Cropland
time
Soil C
stock
measure
Estimate+
validation
Where are we?
Soil Scientists developed and improved low cost C determination methods
Including field methods (less
time need for sampling and
preparation)

9. Where are we? We have all what we need!
https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14815
https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2017.00041
https://verra.org/

10. Adoption of a practice that
stores/preserves carbon
Market based on adoption
of sequestering practices
or management options
“New” market approach is also ready to be deployed
©V.Chaplot–RainfedRiceLaoPDR
Where are we?
http://calclimateag.org/hsp/

11. Then what is missing? A clear and unambiguous “signal” from policy makers
A unique opportunity: Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture
(a) Modalities for implementation of the outcomes of the five in-
session workshops on issues related to agriculture and other
future topics that may arise from this work;
(b) Methods and approaches for assessing adaptation, adaptation
co-benefits and resilience;
(c) Improved soil carbon, soil health and soil fertility under
grassland and cropland as well as integrated systems,
including water management;
(d) Improved nutrient use and manure management towards
sustainable and resilient agricultural systems;
(e) Improved livestock management systems;
(f) Socioeconomic and food security dimensions of climate
change in the agricultural sector.
Under the UNFCCC not the Paris Agreement!
https://unfccc.int/topics/land-use/workstreams/agriculture

12. Then what is missing? A clear and unambiguous “signal” from policy makers
A unique opportunity: Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture
CGE (1999-COP5)
Consultative Group of Experts
LEG (2001-COP7)
Least Developed Countries Expert Group
TEC (2010-COP16)
Technology Executive Committee
CTCN (2010-COP16)
Climate Technology Centre and Network
AC (2010-COP16)
Adaptation Committee
SCF (2010-COP16)
Standing Committee on Finance
PCCB (2015-COP21)
Paris Committee on Capacity-Building
LCIPP (2018-COP24)
Facilitative Working Group of the Local
Communities and Indigenous Peoples
Platform
Constituted Bodies under the Convention
COP24-Dec2018: “The SBSTA and the SBI also invited the
operating entities of the Financial Mechanism, the Adaptation
Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special
Climate Change Fund to contribute to the work […] and attend
the workshops under the Koronivia road map”
AF
Adaptation Fund
SCCF
Special Climate Change Fund
LDCF
Least Developed Countries Fund
KCI (2018-COP24)
Katowice Committee of Experts on Impact
of Implementation of Response Measures
Involving all the different Bodies of the convention and its Financial Mechanism

13. Then what is missing? A clear and unambiguous “signal” from policy makers
A unique opportunity: Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture
Specifically on topic 2c “soils”
Views from Parties and stakeholders
http://www.fao.org/3/ca7026en
/ca7026en.pdf
https://unfccc.int/event/improved-soil-carbon-soil-health-and-soil-fertility-under-grassland-
and-cropland-as-well-as
Workshop material and report

14. Then what is missing? A clear and unambiguous “signal” from policy makers
A unique opportunity: Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture
The narrative is evolving from
“Soil Carbon sequestration“ to “heathy soil”
We have never been so close to have a conclusion/decision
at next COP that would be a game-changer
A clear signal supporting more investments for healthy soils
Research, modalities, pilot phases, scaling up.…
Soils fully considered in most NDC

15. Soils in NDCs Moving from the current situation to using the full potential offered by “soils”
 Soil MRV systems should be connected with other AFOLU subsectors/activities (nutrient
and manure management, livestock management, …) and all topics of the KJWA
decisions (adaptation, food security, socio-economic dimensions)
 Soil MRV systems should be part/compatible of a broader national system serving
different reporting needs:
 UNFCCC: Modalities, procedures and guidelines (MPGs) for the enhance
transparency framework (ETF) for action and support, this means also
(BTR, NC, BUR
 Outside the UNFCCC: UNCCD, CBD, SDGs, etc…)
 National capacities (including research) should be developed / strengthened
 Develop robust institutional arrangement for MRV
Challenges (old/new) are still in front of us

16. Webinar: Soil carbon sequestration in the Nationally Determined
Contributions
CCAFS, 4p1000, BLE
2-3 pm (CEST) 8-9 am ET (GMT – 5), Wednesday 22 April 2020
MRV of Soil Organic Carbon: where we are and what is missing?
Martial Bernoux
Climate and Environment division
http://www.fao.org/climate-change/our-work/what-we-do/koronivia/en/