CL:AIRE is pleased to announce the publication of the first Joint Communiqué of the International Soil Reuse Forum (ISRF), available here: ISRF.
The ISRF is a collaborative forum for organisations that oversee soil reuse and management programmes, founded originally by CL:AIRE (UK), Grondbank (BE), BRGM (FR) and SIKB (NL).
The ISRF aims to:
- foster discussions around mutual challenges, opportunities, and innovations in soil reuse;
- share good practices;
- explore policy developments;
- encourage joint problem-solving; and
- establish an authoritative, global voice on soil reuse issues to enhance recognition and advocacy.
The Joint Communiqué is a document which, in the opinion of the forum members, provides commentary and recommendations on pressing topics facing soil reuse and management schemes. It has been created following the first annual meeting of the ISRF in November 2024. The topics covered in this Joint Communiqué include opportunities to enhance sustainability and contribute to circular economy via effective and tailored communication (Terminology Debate), how to tackle emerging contaminants such as PFAS, and the role and application of digital technologies in improving standards, monitoring, and operational efficiency (Digital Tracking).
The ISRF will continue to create a shared space for communication and mutual learning as science and policy progress in the face of new challenges. The positive environmental benefits of soil reuse and management programmes cannot be overstated; it is critical to leverage as many resources as possible to overcome present and future challenges, and the ISRF will continue to meet annually to coordinate learning and opinion on relevant topics as they appear.
For more information about the ISRF, or to read the full Joint Communiqué, please visit the webpage here: ISRF. If you oversee a soil reuse and management scheme and wish to enquire about participating in the ISRF, please contact CL:AIRE.