The 4 by 1000 initiative to increase carbon storage
The planet's soils currently contain two to three times more carbon than the atmosphere. Scientific studies, notably on French agricultural and forest soils, have shown that they are not saturated in organic carbon: it is possible to increase their storage capacity through appropriate practices. In addition, the increase in carbon storage in the soil goes hand in hand with an increase in its organic matter content, and therefore a better functioning and better yields for crops.
During the COP 21 held in Paris in 2015, on the proposal of INRAE, France launched the "4 for 1000" initiative: it relies on the fact that a moderate but continuous increase in soil storage capacities (+ 4 g/1000 g each year) would -in theory- fully compensate for the increase in CO2 levels in the atmosphere. To date, the initiative has 281 voluntary signatories: states, international organizations, research institutions, universities, professional organizations...