IUCN Adopts World’s First Soil Security Law, Co-Sponsored by Save Soil
In a landmark decision, IUCN has adopted the world’s first Soil Security Law, co-sponsored by Save Soil, formally recognizing soil as vital for global sustainability. The move paves the way for strong legal frameworks to protect soil worldwide.
In a historic global decision, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has adopted Motion 007 on Soil Security Law, marking the first time a global conservation body has formally recognized soil security as fundamental to food, water, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
The motion, co-sponsored by Save Soil (Isha Outreach) along with the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies at Pace University (USA), and supported by Aurora, the Soil Security Think Tank in Australia, is a landmark moment in environmental governance.
“This is a historic win for soil,” said Praveena Sridhar, Chief Science and Technical Officer at Save Soil. “It’s the first time a global conservation body has recognized soil security as a foundation for life, paving the way for legally robust soil protection laws worldwide.”
Congratulating the IUCN membership for adopting the motion, Sadhguru, founder of the Save Soil movement, posted on X, “This is a significant step toward 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 this adoption, IUCN will now establish a working group to develop the framework for a global legal instrument or convention on soil security. This will culminate in the creation of a Model Soil Security Law, encouraging over 90 member nations to integrate soil protection into their national policies.
The new framework aims to drive regenerative farming, legal accountability, and climate-resilient agricultural systems — helping protect farmers’ livelihoods while preserving the planet’s ecological balance.
Since its submission in January 2025, Save Soil volunteers and partners have engaged governments from France, Germany, Japan, and Canada, along with global organizations, to build support. The motion was finally adopted with an overwhelming majority — 87.1% of government members and 95.45% of NGOs and Indigenous groups voted in favor.
