Reconnecting the Carbon Cycle
Cities, Compost & Nature Based Climate Solutions

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RETREAT FOCUS

Stabilizing climate and growing a world resilient to the dynamic changes we now face will depend on reconnecting carbon cycles starting with the cycling of carbon materials back into high quality soil and other parts of the living world.  

The retreat's purpose is to demonstrate community composting as a 'no regrets' initiative that, with support, has tremendous potential for impact beyond its current scale, and to amplify and accelerate our individual and collaborative actions to manage food and green wastes in order to reduce risks presented by extreme weather, increase carbon sequestration and ensure food security. We aspire to ignite strategic conversations among community composting leaders, city-level officials, and key experts in the field to support municipal leaders to effectively leverage the benefits of community composter partnerships for greater impact. By showcasing mature players in this field and exploring their successful models, we will illuminate the myriad benefits and deep value of composting and organics waste management to climate plans, urban waste management strategies, job creation, and social justice agendas.

Emergent initiatives include:

  • A climate benefits assessment, narrative, and communication material that will clearly illustrate the critical role that circular urban organics management economies play in the implementation of nature-based climate solutions.

  • A training program for 10+ cities, counties and community-based organizations focused on sustainable urban organics management, climate action and economic development.

  • A pilot project support program to advance and promote equity-centered circular organics management and economic development in service of climate mitigation.

  • Science-based, peer-reviewed metrics for measuring carbon sequestration and guidelines for implementation specific to using compost on working lands. Guidance will be applicable across states/regions and different cropping systems.

  • Support for nationwide community composting network in leveraging federal and philanthropic funds including efforts in collaborative fundraising, technical support, and social media tool development.