Soil carbon digital monitoring
Capturing carbon in soil is a common approach in climate change mitigation measures, but variability in soils and greenhouse gas emissions makes evaluating results difficult.
Objectives: The aim is to create a new solution that can effectively monitor changes in soil carbon caused by agricultural systems, using digital technologies. In doing this, the solution would support net-zero emission targets for Scotland (2045) and the UK (2050) through better understanding of the extent of the carbon that has been captured. Involving linking sensors, edge and high-performance computing-based data analysis, modelling and visualisation, the system would monitor, report and verify changes to GHG emissions in near real time. In making the provisional results and methods open access, science, society, practice and policy would all benefit.
Results: RETINA digital solution and associated systems are being used amongst policymakers and businesses across the UK. Policymakers are increasingly interested ensuring the management of carbon stocks to help achieve targets of climate change and biodiversity. They recognise monitoring can be used to do this. Some large businesses have invested in testing the solution, hoping to develop sustainability credentials that can enhance their products’ sustainability brands. Farm businesses are also interested because future policies may use payment systems based on environmental considerations, including maintaining soil carbon. Having a tool that can help farmers monitor this could allow them to optimise their soil to benefit from future policies.
Practical notes: The sensors allow data to be made available to users through web interface and mobile app, without individual land managers providing numerous data inputs. Streamlined flows of information from sensors enables prediction of environmental changes using more accurate data. Spin out company been set up to develop and commercialise solution.
Additional information
Currently, some large businesses are investing in the testing of the solution, seeing new opportunities to develop sustainability credentials that can enhance their product brands, and delivering on environmental sustainability. Farm businesses are interested in understanding how the solution could position them for future policies that use payment systems based upon environmental considerations, such as maintaining soil carbon, and so expressing interests in testing the system.
Empowering rural communities to act for change
Ongoing | 2023-2027
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Italy, Spain, Germany, Finland, Belgium, Austria, Greece, Croatia, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Cyprus, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine