Healthy soils for a sustainable Europe

Soils are a cornerstone of our natural capital. They deliver a wide range of ecosystem services, from food production and clean water to biodiversity and climate regulation, and are therefore crucial for both nature and humanity. Yet 60-70% of EU soils are not in a healthy state, as defined in the context of the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” under Horizon Europe. The causes are unsustainable use and poor management, compounded by the lack of an EU-wide soil policy to protect and restore soils.

The EU Soil Strategy for 2030

In November 2021, the European Commission adopted the EU Soil Strategy, “Reaping the benefits of healthy soils for people, food, nature and climate”. It announces measures for sustainable soil use, the avoidance of land sealing, a target to halve the drainage of peatlands, the restoration of contaminated sites, and tighter monitoring and reporting obligations for Member States. The vision: by 2050, all EU soil ecosystems are in a healthy condition, and the protection, sustainable use and restoration of soils have become the norm.

Why this study?

Delivering this vision requires crucial actions, and without additional effort the EU risks missing its Green Deal and international objectives. Land and soil continue to degrade, and the European Environment Agency identifies the lack of a comprehensive and coherent policy framework across the EU as a key gap that limits the effectiveness of current incentives and measures.

Ecologic supported the planning and description of a Soil Management Knowledge Repository as part of the Soil Monitoring Law to ensure improved and standardized soil conditions for a wide variety of farmers.

This study supports DG Environment in the successful and timely delivery of key actions and activities of the Soil Strategy.