In a landmark decision, the global conservation body International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has adopted Motion 007 on Soil Security Law, making it the world’s first Model Law for Soil Protection.
The motion was co-sponsored by Save Soil (Isha Outreach) along with the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University (USA), with inputs from Aurora, the Soil Security Think Tank based in Australia.
“Resolution 007 is a historic win for soil, and it's an outcome of hard labor, of love and sweat, for soil from people across the world.” said Praveena Sridhar, Chief Science and Technical Officer, Save Soil, adding, “it is the first time a global conservation body has formally recognised soil security as a foundation for food, water, biodiversity, and climate resilience, paving way for legally robust soil protection instruments worldwide.”
Congratulating the IUCN Membership for adopting Resolution 007 on a Soil Security Law, and to the proponents, co-sponsors — including Save Soil — supporters, and volunteers who championed this effort at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, Sadhguru, founder of the Save Soil movement, said on X, “This is a significant step towards global recognition of the need for holistic, committed protection of soil. Now the real work begins — let’s come together for Soil, our farmers, all life, and our future.”
With the adoption of Resolution 007, IUCN will now convene a working group to develop concepts and parameters for an international convention or a global legal instrument on soil security. This will lead to the creation of a Model Soil Security Law, and over 90 member nations will be encouraged to integrate it into national frameworks.
The Model Soil Security Law is expected to act as a catalyst for national action, guiding countries to integrate soil protection across all sectors and into agricultural, climate, and restoration frameworks. By strengthening legal accountability and supporting regenerative farming, this initiative will help secure the livelihoods of farmers while protecting the ecological basis of life for generations to come.
Since its submission in January 2025, Save Soil and partners have actively supported the motion by engaging in rounds of consultations with representatives from governments including France, Germany, Japan, and Canada, and organizing global awareness webinars to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive, legal soil protection.
At the recent IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi, Save Soil volunteers and partners campaigned tirelessly to build consensus around the motion. The IUCN Membership eventually voted to adopt the original text with an overwhelming majority — 87.1% of government members and 95.45% of NGOs and Indigenous groups voted in favour.