2026/01/22 by Emma Rocke, Rob Knight, Guilia Ghisleni +5 · 1 voice
Immunology and Microbiology · Environmental Science · #Alexander von Humboldt Studies #Climate Change and Geoengineering #Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
paper · doi:10.1016/j.greenca.2026.01.001
openalex publication_date 2026/01/22 · openalex created_date 2026/01/23 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/30
Microorganisms regulate key biogeochemical processes and ecosystem feedbacks to climate change, yet they remain underrepresented in global environmental policy and implementation frameworks. The World Microbiome Project (WMP) Environment and Climate Change Roadmap sets out a coordinated agenda to embed microbial science into climate mitigation, adaptation, and nature-based solutions. It identifies three scientific priority actions: (1) microbial process accounting, (2) global integration of microbiome data, and (3) the deployment of microbiomes for ecological resilience. These priorities define the core knowledge and governance gaps that currently limit the effectiveness of climate mitigation, adaptation, and nature-based solutions. To operationalise these priorities, the Roadmap establishes interoperable microbiome data infrastructures linking distributed observations across biomes, a federated governance model combining regional stewardship with global standards, and measurable microbial indicators translated into policy-relevant targets for climate, biodiversity, and ecosystem rehabilitation. The roadmap proposes alignment with existing climate and biodiversity agreements to avoid duplication and maximise impact. By articulating concrete near-term priorities and cross-sector partnerships, this Comment aims to catalyse coordinated investment and action so that microbial systems are recognised, protected, and harnessed as essential components of a stable and just climate future.