Soil quality is cornerstone of regenerative agriculture. Visible changes in soil quality tend to take a long time through dedicated efforts to retain nutrients and sequester soil organic carbon. Meeting the needs of practicability and cost-effectiveness, Soil Organic Matter (SOM) or Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) are essential to be assessed considering soil fertility. A laboratory analysis provides results on wide array of indicators, but soil pH should be included as it influences nutrient availability and can be measured easily. Regenerative agriculture enhances soil structure and fertility through practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, and reduced tillage. These methods boost soil microbial biomass and organic carbon content, fostering a robust soil ecosystem.

The focus on biodiversity aspect is farm level flora and fauna biodiversity. By promoting crop diversity and integrating agroforestry, regenerative practices support a variety of flora and fauna. This not only increases farm resilience but also provides habitats for beneficial insects and pollinators. Above ground and below ground flora and fauna diversity are two key aspects to be considered. The set of regenerative practices are interlinked one to another. Agroforestry trees on the farm improve soil health and create microclimate while providing shelter for beneficial birds, insects and pollinators thereby improving biodiversity. Creating habitats for pollinators and ants can contribute to higher fruit set and pest control. 

Water is one of the critical resources and important input for coffee growth and development during flowering, fruit set and development. While it is not easy and takes significant efforts to measure the water use and regularly monitor it, studies have shown that excess water provision as well water shortage to coffee plants both have significant impacts. Thus, the practice based Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on water use are to monitor the water use, source of water, checking of water quality via test with the aim to improve water use efficiency. Also, the quality of water is detrimental for coffee growth which is not mixed with chemicals or pesticides or other harmful substances. Techniques like mulching, cover cropping, and the use of riparian buffers help retain soil moisture, reduce runoff, and improve water infiltration. These practices ensure sustainable water use, benefiting both the farm and the surrounding ecosystem. 

Enhancing soil organic matter and promoting agroforestry sequesters carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process mitigates climate change while improving soil fertility and crop yields. At 4C, we have a robust method for estimation of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks along with the necessary measures that can improve sequestration of SOC in the soil. 

Improved agricultural management modifies soil carbon stocks to varying degrees, depending on how specific practices influence C input and output from the soil system (Paustian et al., 1997a; Bruce et al., 1999; Ogle et al., 2005). The main management practices that affect soil carbon stocks in Croplands, including perennials like coffee, are the type of residue management, field management practiced, fertilizer management (both mineral fertilizers and organic amendments), choice of varieties, and intensity of cropping management, irrigation management, and mixed systems with cropping and forestry (agroforestry). In addition, drainage and cultivation of organic soils reduces soil carbon stocks (Armentano and Menges, 1986). 

The Carbon Footprint Add-On allows to account for emissions savings due to soil carbon accumulation and carbon removals in soil. Increase in soil carbon stock which might occur due to improved agricultural management, such as: 

• Improved cropping systems including cover crops, intercropping especially with perennials, agroforestry, and a combination with nitrogen-fixing crops. 

• Improved crop residue management (e.g., leaves, straws, and pruning residues left on the field). 

• Improved fertilizers or manure management (e.g., use of organic fertilizers). 

• Use of soil improver (e.g., compost, manure fermentation digestate). 

4C focus on four key aspects of Regenerative Agriculture but livestock integration is also key aspects in the region where livestock are introduced. Number of livestock raised, and the use of livestock manure (cattle, poultry, pig) adds further nutrient to the soil.