A Strategy for Taking Soil Carbon into the Policy Arena

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has a relatively low profile in the policy arena. Here, we discuss the different steps of the policy-making process as well as the actors involved at the local, national and international scale. The first part analyses the policy-making process. The policy imperative consists of building up and maintaining SOC. The policy profile and discourse focuses on raising awareness. The policy rationale includes the economic and social benefits as well as the soil as capital. The policy support concerns the tools and programmes available. The second part of the chapter deals with the actors, from the advocates and institutions to the governance. For more detailed information, the reader is guided in each of these sections towards the chapters of the background document. Finally, recommendations are given at each of these levels for increasing the profile of SOC in the policy arena.