Soil is one of the most effective carbon sinks—especially rich humus soils. Hotels can enhance soil carbon through regenerative design, improving water retention and fertility.
Effective Practices:
- Avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides: These disrupt soil ecosystems vital to humus formation.
- Use on-site compost: Converts kitchen and garden waste into soil nutrients.
- Mulching: Organic mulch (leaves, grass, wood chips) enhances soil structure and microbial activity.
- Green manure & deep-rooting plants (e.g., clover, alfalfa): Fix nitrogen, loosen soil, reduce erosion; incorporated post-growth to nourish soil.
- Biodiversity strips & hedgerows: Support soil organisms and nutrient cycling.
Benefits:
- Carbon Sequestration: Each 1 % rise in soil organic matter stores ~14–22 t C/ha.
- Soil Health: Enhanced water retention, resilience against drought.
- Climate Resilience: Sustains local hydrology and microclimates.
