Network of Global Future Councils

Global Future Council on Healthy Soils and Land


About the Global Future Council on Healthy Soils and Land

Approximately 33% of global soils are degraded, and 120,000 square kilometers turn into deserts annually—an area only 20,000 square kilometers smaller than Iceland. This degradation, driven by erosion, pollution, and other factors, critically undermines food and water security, biodiversity, and climate stability, while significantly increasing costs. 

Addressing soil resilience for the future requires tackling the social, economic, and policy dimensions essential for sustainable land management, climate resilience, and equitable access to soil resources. How can we explore a comprehensive approach to the future of our soils using collaborative strategies?

Co-Chairs

Andrea Meza Murillo

Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Rattan Lal

Professor of Soil Science, Ohio State University

Members

AM
Andrea Meza Murillo
Deputy Executive Secretary at United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
AP
Andrea Porro
Secretary-General at World Farmers' Organisation
AT
Anneke Trux
Head of Programme at German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)
BB
Berenice Di Biase
Chief Ecologist at Soilytix
DD
Diskul Dispanadda
Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer at Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage (Doi Tung Development Project)
EB
Eduardo Bastos
Executive Director at Brazilian Agribusiness Association (ABAG)
GD
Gerlinde de Deyn
Professor in Soil Ecology at Wageningen University & Research
GH
Guy Hudson
Co-founder & CEO at Loam Bio Pty Ltd
HO
Henk Ovink
Executive Director at Global Commission on the Economics of Water
IE
Ismahane Elouafi
Executive Managing Director at Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
KM
Kate Maher
Professor of Earth System Science; Senior Fellow, Woods Institute for the E(...) at Stanford University
LW
Leigh Ann Winowiecki
Global Research Leader, Soil and Land Health at World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF)
LV
Leonardus Vergütz
Chief Scientific Officer at OCP Group
LL
Li Lifeng
Director Land and Water Division at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
LK
Liza Korsten
President at African Academy of Sciences
MH
Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi
Assistant Undersecretary, Food Diversity Sector at Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates
MR
Mridula Ramesh
Founder at Sundaram Climate Institute
NP
Nidhi Pundhir
Head, HCL Foundation at HCLTech
NM
Nyifamu Manzo
Global Shaper, Kaduna Hub at Farmatrix Agro Allied and Technology Company
RL
Rattan Lal
Professor of Soil Science at Ohio State University

Council Manager

Jack Lloyd

Centre for Nature and Climate, World Economic Forum

Council's Publications

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The network convenes over 700 experts from academia, business, government, civil society and international organizations, operating as a time-bound think-tank, grouped in expertise-based thematic councils, to identify and disseminate transformative ideas with the potential for positive global impact. 

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