Managing Soil Organic Carbon for Global Benefits presents an overview of current technical and scientific knowledge of soil organic carbon (SOC). Such an overview is needed in order to understand how and why soil organic carbon management should be an important component of future strategy for the Global Environment Facility (GEF). SOC management may contribute to and/or be affected by progress toward the achievement of the GEF objectives. It has a vital role to play in regard to each of the GEF focal areas: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Land Degradation, International Waters, and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Links also exist between SOC management and the GEF's cross-cutting themes (Sustainable Forest Management, and Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry – LULUCF).