Inspiring others

Our highlight! We met François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Kerring in Paris, talked to him about soils and our business model asnd showed him our natural soil amendment, betterSoil Booster. Crazy, isn't it? Be the change you want to see in society. At ChangeNOW, we are part of the change. Soil is an ignored and neglected topic. And this needs to change! By participating in the ChangeNOW 2024 event, we discussed and highlighted the importance of soil on various stages. We are paving the ground towards our dream! We have been taking part in the ChangeNOW event for two years now. This year, we performed much better, were represented on various stages and with a stand. We had many more visitors interested in the topic of soil than last year. We are proud to be an active participant in the ChangeNOW event, where sustainability and innovation come together on several stages. Our presence at this event emphasises our commitment to soil as an innovative solution for more sustainable food production while improving environmental and climate protection.

This time at the World Economic Forum in Davos 2024! There we focussed on the importance of soil as part of the regeneration of nature. We were invited to talk about soil, which is often overlooked but is an important resource for the sustainability of our planet. We highlighted the role of soil in mitigating and adapting to climate change, promoting biodiversity and ensuring food security with experts from many countries. We presented our betterSoil principles as innovative techniques for improving soil health and restoring soil, emphasising the need for sustainable agricultural practices. The forum emphasised the urgent need to protect and restore our soil resources to create a resilient and sustainable future for all.

At COP28 United Arab Emirates, we joined other stakeholders in emphasising the importance of restoring and protecting this natural gift for a sustainable future. Despite all the criticism of this conference, climate change made it into the mainstream discussions. Soil was represented and discussed, and it felt like "everyone" was present, meaning that many stakeholders were able to engage with each other in person, which can lead to better action than just staying in the digital sphere. Like healthy soil, people need interaction to thrive!

Our soil-compost workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ulmer Volkshochschule (Folk high school) and the Frauenakademie Ulm (Women's Academy) and was held in October 2023. Owing to its immense popularity, we have plans to organize the workshop twice next year. The workshop aimed to educate women about the ways they can contribute to mitigating climate change through the improvement of compost quality, soil humus, and soil health in their gardens. Ho was the workshop? We offer a comprehensive program that combines both theoretical and practical aspects. The workshop includes a one-hour theory session, followed by three hours of hands-on experience in the garden. Participants not only receive detailed explanations but also get the opportunity to interact directly with the soil, engage in composting activities, and unravel the secrets of soil health. If you are interested in hosting a similar workshop for your company and employees, please feel free to leave us a message.

Every year, the YOU:KO congress series brings young people together to discuss current, politically relevant topics. This year's theme was "GénérAktion: Your impact counts!" and is a Franco-German cooperation between the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) and the Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW/OFAJ). The aim of the cooperation is to involve young people and inspire them to take action. Soils are an important element in climate protection and nutrition, but are often forgotten. A great deal of interest was generated in the previously unknown topic of "healthy soils". Individual options for action and solutions for use in the personal environment were developed. Preparation of the topic of "healthy soils" with problem analysis, options for action and connections with related subject areas. As part of a workshop, knowledge is imparted using interactive methods.

As part of the climate week in New York City, we received an invitation to participate in a panel discussion. The Clean Growth Leadership Network (CGLN) and its Youth Advisory Council organized the panel, which focused on Climate Finance. During the discussion, we brought up the idea of using soils as a possible solution for reducing CO2 emissions. Additionally, we expanded on the potential role of soils in the Voluntary Carbon Markets and how they can be used as incentives to support climate action and protect biodiversity. The panel was recorded as podcast exploring what is the role of voluntary carbon markets in meeting climate targets and promoting nature-based solutions. To the PODCAST on Spotify.

Invited by Salesforce France, we had the opportunity to present betterSoil at the "Women Entrepreneurship for the planet" event, where we highlighted the ways in which our business supports climate adaption and promotes sustainable food production.

Innovation encompasses more than just machines and computers; it also includes natural allies. To effectively tackle climate change and promote sustainable food production, the improvement of soil quality as well as health are vital. By adopting new and creative approaches, we are transforming our capacity to confront climate challenges and reduce their effects. To further this goal, the European Technology Chamber (EUTECH) has graciously invited us to participate and showcase our innovative solution for mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity, all while striving for more sustainable food production. The enhancement of soil health is a form of innovation that plays a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future for our planet.

Biochar is one of our betterSoil 4 principles and plays an important role in improving soil health. To this end, we visited the world's largest and most technologically advanced pyrolysis plant in Switzerland. The plant is a pyrolysis process for producing biochar by burning organic compounds such as wood without oxygen. Energy, heat and biochar are the products of pyrolysis. Biochar can be sold on the market as a soil improvement product, and the energy and heat can be sold to households. Biochar has several benefits for the soil and can remove CO2 from the atmosphere and improve soil fertility and enhance soil humus content.

We were delighted to receive an invitation to have a booth in ChangeNOW 2023, the largest event of solutions for the planet. Paris played host to this monumental event where we, over the course of a three-day summit, presented the revolutionary concept of soils as a solution to the pressing issues faced by our planet. Moreover through multiple talks and speeches on the stage, we succeeded in igniting a spark of inspiration within the hearts of visitors, be it CEOs or families with young ones, urging them to embrace courage and optimism while taking action. Drawing attention to the pivotal role played by soils, we emphasized their ability to connect entrepreneurs, business magnates, and policymakers in a united effort to expedite change.

The changing grapes quality for Champagne can be influenced by soil, making it an important factor. We had the opportunity to connect with CEO Philippe Schaus, CSR & Sustainable Development Director Sandrine Sommer, and project manager Lou Deladerriere from Moet Henessy at the ChangeNOW event. We met also at the pioneer dinner at the Eiffel Tower. During our several intensive discussions and meetings, we delved into the world of soil and its profound impact on grape production, ultimately shaping the excellence of wine and champagne. Soil composition, nutrient levels, and even microbial diversity all play a crucial role in nurturing the vine, allowing it to thrive and produce grapes with exceptional quality and flavor. Understanding the intricate relationship between soil and viticulture is essential for any wine enthusiast, sommelier, winemaker, or simply a lover of fine wines.