Sustainable Soils in a Changing Climate: A Review of Pathways Toward Net-Zero Emissions

Soils as the important components of the global carbon cycle play a critical role in food security as well as in supporting adaptation to climate change. The current review presents recent research on interactions between soil systems and climate dynamics. Climate change and poor land-use practices pose significant threats to soil health. In this context, the application of Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) strategies provides important benefits. These practices contribute to climate change mitigation by increasing carbon storage in soils and improving soil resilience to extreme climate conditions. Regenerative agriculture practices, including Conservation Agriculture (CA), cover crops, organic materials, and diversified cropping systems can store carbon at rates of about 0.1 to 1.2 t C ha −1 yr −1 . Moreover, these practices improve biodiversity and enhance soil properties, with yield responses varying depending on environmental and management conditions. Climate change accelerates soil degradation by raising temperatures, altering rainfall patterns, and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. Consequently, these factors lead to marked reductions in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks and degrade essential soil properties. This review places SSM within an extensive sustainability framework that is closely linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key goals addressed include SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). It also examines related policies, presents case studies from different agroecological regions, and discusses future research directions. Wider adoption of SSM requires strong economic incentives and inclusive governance. These measures can support climate-resilient agriculture and net-zero emission goals.