Partners to develop a holistic policy and strategy approach where soil function is recognised, valued and protected for the environment, economy, food, infrastructure, health, biodiversity and communities
Priority 2 links to goals 1 (Prioritise soil health) and 2 (Empower soil innovation and stewards) of the National Soil Strategy.
Focus of activities
Priority 2 activities should focus on the development of holistic policies and strategies where soil function is recognised, valued, and protected for the environment, economy, food, infrastructure, health, biodiversity and communities. Government partners have a particular responsibility to ensure they are working across portfolios to advocate and influence related policy positions to recognise and value soil.
Focus areas for priority 2:
- acknowledge the critical importance of soil and its contribution when developing key public policies and strategies, including agriculture, climate change resilience, adaptation and mitigation and human and environmental health
- improve the alignment and integration of soil policies and strategies across different levels of government
- improve soil advocacy
- consider the need for measures to protect, restore and better manage soil whenever opportunities to review existing or develop new related Commonwealth and state and territory legislation arise
- strengthen action on soil globally through the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation’s (FAO), Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and other international soil advocacy efforts
Joint partnerships
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
National Soil Strategy 2021 to 2041
The National Soil Strategy, released in May 2021, is Australia’s first national policy on soil. It sets out how Australia will value, manage and improve our soil for the next 20 years. The Australian Government launched the National Soil Strategy in recognition of the crucial role soil plays in delivering resilience to climate change and growing the agricultural industry. The Strategy has 3 key goals:
- prioritise soil health
- empower soil innovation and stewardship
- strengthen soil knowledge and capability
The objectives of the National Soil Strategy articulate the importance of soil health, soil security and valuing soil and recognises that improved soil condition management provide direct productivity outcomes. The strategy also acknowledges the importance of the collection and use of soil data to inform land management practices.
Read the National Soil Strategy
National Soil Action Plan
The National Soil Action Plan 2023 to 2028 is the first action plan under the 20-year National Soil Strategy. The action plan will guide national action on Australia’s soil for the next 5 years and sets out 4 priority actions to improve our soil and long-term soil security.
Bilateral Partnership Agreements with the states and territory governments
The $20 million ‘Partnering to implement the National Soil Action Plan’ Budget measure will support implementation of the action plan through partnership agreements between the states and territories. These partnerships will drive soil projects that support the priority actions.
Global Soil Partnership
The United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosts the Global Soil Partnership (GSP). Australia has been a member since its establishment in December 2012. The GSP seeks to advance responsible soil management and strengthen the oversight of global soil resources. Through our membership in the GSP, Australia contributes to initiatives to advance soil health and soil management in our region and globally.
Learn more about the GSP
Pacific Soil Partnership
The Pacific Soil Partnership (PSP) was founded in October 2014. It is hosted by the Pacific Community (SPC). Soil is an increasingly important resource for many Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) within a region experiencing rapid population growth and the increasing effects of climate change. By being an active member of the PSP, Australia aims to collaboratively advance the sustainable soil management agenda in the Pacific through research, standard setting, education and awareness, and information and knowledge sharing on soil.
Learn more about the PSP
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
The important role of soil in combatting climate change was recognised in the text of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which Australia ratified on 30 December 1992. As a ratifying party, the Australian Government has a responsibility to uphold the commitments outlined in the convention. This convention is significant to soil policy as it recognised “the role and importance in terrestrial and marine ecosystems of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases.”