International Network on Soil Pollution

The International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP) has the overall aim of stopping soil pollution and achieving the global goal of zero pollution. To this end, INSOP works to improve knowledge on the full cycle of soil pollution, from assessment to remediation, as well as on the effect on environmental and human health and the provision of soil ecosystem functions and services. INSOP also aims to strengthen technical capacities and legislative frameworks for the prevention of soil pollution and promotes the exchange of experiences and technologies for the sustainable management and remediation of polluted soils. For more information contact: [email protected] and the: GSP-Secretariat.

INSOP functions and duties

Pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems globally posing a significant risk to the environment and human health (FAO 2015). Actions at the local level can have effects beyond national borders. Joint and coordinated actions are therefore required to prevent soil pollution and to control, manage and remediate polluted soils. Many stakeholders around the world are working on different aspects to prevent, control and remediate soil pollution, but there is a lack of effective global coordination between governments, policymakers, land users, academia, and society.

The creation of this Network is an urgent response to scale-up global efforts and will allow for an effective, coordinated and inclusive communication of all stakeholders to implement the global action agenda on soil pollution and move towards a world with Zero Pollution.

INSOP’s mission is to support and facilitate joint efforts towards reducing the risks of soil pollution and effectively remediate already polluted areas.

INSOP serves the global community by:
• Providing an international forum for the generation and dissemination of knowledge on soil pollution;
• Promoting and exchanging good practices, practical and scientific knowledge and innovative solutions for managing polluted soils in a sustainable manner;
• Establishing interdisciplinary cooperative links between governments, academia, the private sector, and society to stimulate the development of cleaner and more sustainable solutions and consumption options; and
• Strengthening technical and technological capacities through coordination among existing networks.

INSOP focuses on six main areas of work under each of which various tasks will be carried out to achieve the Network’s mission and goals.

1. Assessment of soil pollution – Focused on the harmonization of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and reference values for soil contaminants, in close cooperation with the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN).
2. Mapping soil pollution - The generation of a spatial datasets on the distribution of polluted soils and potential sources of pollution is of utmost importance in informed decision making. This area of work is carried out in close consultation with the International Network of Soil Information Institution (INSII).
3. Monitoring and regulation of polluted soils - This area of work helps countries to develop and strengthen inventory and monitoring of point-source and to diffuse soil pollution at national, regional, and global levels.
4. Sustainable management and remediation of polluted soils - In this area of work, INSOP focuses on transferring technologies and cross-capacity building on sustainable management and remediation practices and technologies for polluted soils, with special emphasis on nature-based solutions. For the latter, INSOP will work closely with the International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) to ensure the sustainable use and management of soil biodiversity.
5. Agricultural practice and food quality – Under this area of work, INSOP will work on knowledge dissemination of how different sources of pollution negatively effect on food quality and the environmental and human health impacts associated with food contamination coming from the soil. INSOP will work closely with the Soil Doctors Programme as well as with the International Network on Fertilizer Analysis (INFA) to raise awareness and train farmers on soil pollution.
6. Soil and water – The overall objective of the soil and water area of work is to raise awareness on the effects different contaminants of terrestrial origin could have on marine and aquatic ecosystems. Contaminants of concern such as plastic pollution of which 80% entering the ocean has a land origin, eutrophication and other land-based contaminants reaching the fresh and marine environments will be discussed and knowledge gaps addressed.

As a cross-cutting theme, INSOP is developing a global awareness campaign on soil pollution. Learn more here.

INSOP relies on a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson, who coordinate the activities and oversee the execution of the work plan. The appointment of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Network takes place during the annual INSOP meeting. The mandate of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson is two years after their election, extendable by decision of INSOP for a second term. The terms of reference for the positions of INSOP Chair and Vice-Chair are available here.

2022-2024


Chair: Prof Ravi Naidu	Vice-Chair: Dr Deyi Hou	Coordinator: Sergejus Ustinov

By joining INSOP you will contribute to addressing knowledge gaps on soil pollution at all levels.
You will participate in the process of building reliable soil data and information systems and in decision-making for the development of internationally accepted methodologies and indicators. As a member of INSOP you will also be able to share your management and remediation practices and techniques, improve and extend the use of innovative technologies and participate in the joint design of nature-based solutions and other sustainable options.
As part of the INSOP, you can strengthen engagement and visibility, link to policy and policymakers, and open opportunities for future collaborations with other members. You will be part of an extensive network of experts and other networks created within the framework of the United Nations, thus offering a unique opportunity to engage with governments, academia, the private sector, and civil society.

INSOP welcomes representatives from governments, academia, the private sector, NGOs, and any other stakeholders from around the world who share the vision of a world with Zero Pollution and healthy soils. Please complete this form to join the Network Once your registration has been processed, your organization will be included on the INSOP’s interactive map (see below). INSOP's membership is free of charge and its success is based on the active and voluntary participation of each and every one of its members.

INSOP meetings

INSOP-INFA joint meeting on fertilizer quality assessment

Virtual meeting | 28 February 2023

Assessment Working Group of the International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP) - Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) meeting

Virtual meeting | 20 December 2022

Launch of the International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP)

Virtual meeting | 22 April 2022

INSOP news


INSOP February newsletter	INSOP October newsletter	INSOP July newsletter	INSOP Launch
Read more	Read more	Read more	Read more

	WORKING GROUP 1: ASSESSMENT Focused on the harmonization of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and reference values for soil contaminants, in close cooperation with the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN).
SCOPE	The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 1: Assessment' is to perform a global assessment of the status of soil pollution in combination with a review of the state-of-the-art scientific information. Read more
ACTIVITIES	ACTIVITY 1 - GLOSOLAN collaboration INSOP is working closely with the GLOSOLAN in the following tasks: Guidelines development on laboratory soil samples/reagents waste disposal; Capacity building for soil laboratory on the determination of soil pollutants; Identification and prioritisation of soil pollutants for which SOP to be developed; Harmonization and review of SOPs for soil pollutants. Together with GLOSOLAN, INSOP will held a working session on 22-24 November 2022 where both networks will discuss and agree on the working plan for the tasks mentioned above. If you have not registered to be part of the joined group, you can do so by filling out the SURVEY. Your registration will help us to stay in touch with you and send the invitation for November meeting. ACTIVITY 2 - Technical guidelines on soil pollution INSOP coordinators together with the lead and co-authors have resumed the development of the Technical Guidelines on soil pollution initially started in 2019. Once the guidelines are developed (tentative: December 2022), we would invite you to be part of the review panel of experts for the following chapters: Defining soil pollution and conceptual model; Sampling strategy and soil analysis Soil pollution risk assessment Mapping soil pollution; Recommendation for sites with mixed pollution; Monitoring soil pollution; Reporting soil pollution and communicating risks. If you are interested to be on the review panel for one of the following chapters, please fill out the SURVEY. Once all the guidelines are complete, we will invite you to review the chapter of interest.
SUMMARY REPORT	Access here the Report of the first meeting of the Assessment Working Group 8th of November 2022 Online meeting
JOIN INSOP NOW	LINK

	WORKING GROUP 2: MAPPING The generation of a spatial datasets on the distribution of polluted soils and potential sources of pollution is of utmost importance in informed decision making. This area of work is carried out in close consultation with the International Network of Soil Information Institution (INSII).
SCOPE	The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 2: Mapping' is the identification of potential sources of pollution. This is of utmost importance in informed decision-making, so that pollution "hot spots" or areas of special concern due to the risk to human health and the environment can be easily identified. The overall goal is the generation of a spatial datasets on the distribution of polluted soils and potential sources of pollution. Collaboration with the INSII and its members will focus on a better understanding of the coexistence of contaminants and facilitate the management of sites with mixed contamination. Read more
DATE OF THE MEETING	to be confirmed at the end of October
HOW TO JOIN?	Please register and vote for the best date and time before 28 October 2022 LINK TO THE OFFICIAL POLL
ACTIVITIES	Content available soon
JOIN INSOP NOW	LINK

	WORKING GROUP 3: MONITORING AND REGULATORY This area of work helps countries to develop and strengthen inventory and monitoring of point-source and to diffuse soil pollution at national, regional, and global levels.
SCOPE	The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 3: Monitoring and regulatory' is the monitoring of polluted soils. This requires the establishment of regulatory frameworks that support the regular collection of information and the comparison of data to define trends. These regulatory frameworks should also include soil health indicators to assess the state of soils. INSOP will advocate for the creation and strengthening of global, regional, and national commitments to prevent, halt and remediate soil pollution. Read more
DATE OF THE MEETING	to be confirmed at the end of October
HOW TO JOIN?	Please register and vote for the best date and time before 28 October 2022 LINK TO THE OFFICIAL POLL
ACTIVITIES	Content available soon
JOIN INSOP NOW	LINK

	WORKING GROUP 4: SUSTAINABILITY AND REMEDIATION In this area of work, INSOP focuses on transferring technologies and cross-capacity building on sustainable management and remediation practices and technologies for polluted soils, with special emphasis on nature-based solutions. For the latter, INSOP will work closely with the International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) to ensure the sustainable use and management of soil biodiversity.
SCOPE	The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 4: Sustainability and remediation' is to work on the collection and dissemination of sustainable management and remediation practices and technologies for polluted soils, with special emphasis on nature-based solutions. Read more
DATE OF THE MEETING	to be confirmed at the end of October
HOW TO JOIN?	Please register and vote for the best date and time before 28 October 2022 LINK TO THE OFFICIAL POLL
ACTIVITIES	Content available soon
JOIN INSOP NOW	LINK

	WORKING GROUP 5: AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE AND FOOD QUALITY Under this area of work, INSOP will work on knowledge dissemination of how different sources of pollution negatively effect on food quality and the environmental and human health impacts associated with food contamination coming from the soil. INSOP will work closely with the Global Soil Doctors Programme as well as with the International Network on Fertilizer Analysis (INFA) to raise awareness and train farmers on soil pollution.
SCOPE	The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 5: Agricultural practice and food quality' is is the dissemination of knowledge of how different sources of pollution negatively effect on food quality and the environmental and human health impacts associated with food contamination coming from the soil. Read more
DATE OF THE MEETING	to be confirmed at the end of October
HOW TO JOIN?	Please register and vote for the best date and time before 28 October 2022 LINK TO THE OFFICIAL POLL
ACTIVITIES	Content available soon
JOIN INSOP NOW	LINK

	WORKING GROUP 6: SOIL AND WATER Most contaminants in aquatic ecosystems come from anthropogenic land-based sources. Therefore, soil management can have an enormous impact on water quality, including pollution. Contaminants of concern such as plastic pollution of which 80% entering the ocean has a land origin, eutrophication and other land-based contaminants reaching the fresh and marine environments will be discussed and knowledge gaps addressed.
SCOPE	The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 6: Soil and water' is to raise awareness on the effects different contaminants of terrestrial origin could have on marine and aquatic ecosystems. In collaboration with the assessment WG, the WG will create a knowledge exchange platform on the environmental and associated ecotoxicological risks on soil and water pollution. Read more
DATE OF THE MEETING	to be confirmed at the end of October
HOW TO JOIN?	Please register and vote for the best date and time before 28 October 2022 LINK TO THE OFFICIAL POLL
ACTIVITIES	Content available soon
JOIN INSOP NOW	LINK

Geographical distribution of INSOP members

Related activities

Global Symposium on Soil Pollution

2-4 May 2018, FAO headquarters

The Symposium was attended by more than 500 participants from 100 countries, including member states, academia, the private sector as well as scientists and land users working on soil pollution and related fields.

Plan of Action - GSOP18

Symposium Outcome document

The recommendations presented in the document support policies and actions that enhance the prevention, minimization and remediation of soil pollution through sustainable soil management.

Open International Forum-Webinar

8 Nov 2022, 13:00-16:00 CET

This webinar, organized on the grounds of the Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University will open a discussion on environmental regulation of the quality of phosphate fertilizers.

Constitutional documents

Concept note - INSOP

Terms of reference - INSOP Chair and Vice-Chair

Related publications

Global Assessment of Soil Pollution
Main report
EN

Global Assessment of Soil Pollution.
Summary for policymakers
EN | ES

Assessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability
A call for action
EN

Outcome document
Global Symposium on Soil Pollution
EN | ES | FR

Proceedings
Global Symposium on Soil Pollution
EN

Communication material

Soil pollution - Be the solution to soil pollution: Campaign material (World Soil Day 2018 and Global Symposium on Soil Pollution)

Be the solution to soil pollution

Over thousands of years of human activities have left a legacy of polluted soils worldwide.

French | Spanish

Other languages: Italian

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Soil pollution and phytoremediation

Some plants can uptake, remove and stabilize contaminants from the soil, through different mechanisms.

Impacts of soil pollution on key soil functions

Soil pollution causes a chain of degradation processes in soil, jeopardizing its ability to provide ecosystem services.

Pollution-induced changes in the functioning of soil ecosystems

Mobile soil fauna often uses an avoidance strategy, reducing the first steps of litter decomposition in heavily polluted soils.

Economic losses due to soil pollution

Soil pollution entails direct remediation and management costs ranging from thousands to billions of dollars per year, depending on the extent and type of contaminants.

Soil pollution jeopardizes the achievement of most of the SDGs

The prevention, control, and remediation of soil pollution are fundamental if we want to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Impact of soil contaminants on human health

Contaminants in soil have widespread effects on organs and systems, producing a wide variety of health outcomes, from acute to chronic diseases, leading to severe development issues, changes in bodily functions, and premature death.

Contaminants tranfer to the food chain

Contaminated plants and soil organisms lead to potentially hazardous accumulations in animals higher in the food web such as grazing animals, birds and ultimately transferred to humans.

Soil pollution, a hidden reality

This poster presents in a nutshell the sources, degradation processes and effects of soil pollution on the environment, human health and food safety and security.

Other languages: Thai

Soil pollution is borderless

Soil pollution is a borderless often invisible threat whose presence and effects are present in every corner of the globe.

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Soil pollution postcards

EN | FR | ES EN | FR | ES EN | FR | ES

EN | ES | FR EN | ES | FR EN | ES | FR

EN | ES | FR EN | ES | FR

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Videos and animations

7 things you can do to stop soil pollution

Let's be the solution to stop soil pollution!

English | عربية | Français | Español

How can you be the solution to soil pollution?

Even through your small actions you can contribute to a big goal, to #StopSoilPollution. Reduce, reuse and recycle can help you, your community by improving your health and the health of our soils.

English

Short version: English

Soil Pollution, a hidden reality

Soil is a complex growing habitat that remains productive only when it is cared for and nurtured. Combating and addressing soil pollution means assessing and minimizing the risks for food security, human health and the environment.

English

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