Soils

Life on Earth depends on healthy soils. Soils are a finite resource, crucial for food and nutrition security as well as for climate change mitigation and adaptation, preserving nature and biodiversity, regulating water and nutrient cycles and sustaining our cultural and landscape heritage. In short, soils are the basis of our well-being and prosperity. Yet, soils have been degrading continuously in many parts of Europe and the world. In the EU at least 60% of soils are considered to be unhealthy, i.e. experience manifold degradation processes as a result of inappropriate management practices and the effects of climate change. Developing knowledge, research and innovation will be essential to improve our understanding of the drivers of soil degradation, to analyse and monitor the impacts of current management practices on the various aspects of soil health, and to advance sustainable soil management in agriculture, forestry and other sectors. Given the diversity of soils across Europe, R&I is needed also to taylor the analysis and advice specifically to the conditions in any given place. Taking into account the need for placed-based R&I on soils, the Commission is implementing novel approaches through the EU Mission "A Soil Deal for Europe", where education, training, investments, monitoring and demonstration of good practices in "living labs" and "lighthouses" are part of comprehensive portfolio of activities. Results of funded projects contribute to the European Green Deal targets on sustainable farming, climate, biodiversity and zero-pollution. The Mission Soil is a flagship initiative of the EU's Long-term vision for rural areas and main vehicle to implement the ambitions of the EU Soil Strategy and upcoming Soil Health Law.