Can we achieve soil health by 2050?
The biggest win of yesterday's Council meeting was definitely the adoption of the Nature Restoration Law, but let's not forget that the Environment Council also adopted the Council's position on the Soil Monitoring Law!
Can we achieve soil health by 2050?
The biggest win of yesterday's Council meeting was definitely the adoption of the Nature Restoration Law, but let's not forget that the Environment Council also adopted the Council's position on the Soil Monitoring Law!
However, our feelings are mixed, there are some positive and forward-looking elements to the legislation, but the draft is not robust enough to effectively address soil health!
Up to 70% of European soils are in poor health, affecting their essential ecosystem services – water regulation, food products, carbon sequestration - which are fundamental to reach climate neutrality, biodiversity conservation, sustainable food systems and zero pollution. The soil biota is home to a significant number of species - from visible to microscopic organisms - on Earth. Healthy soils are the key factors to adapt to extreme climatic conditions and to ensure food security through to improve its resilience.
What we expected from the next phase, during the trialogue?
The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union must work on a strong law, which contains:
- set legally binding targets, not only a general by 2050, but further time-specific binding milestones and sub-target for 2030 and 2040
- put soil biodiversity at the core of the law:
- enter a scientifically sound definition of soil health, incorporating the importance of soil biodiversity for healthy soils and for the provision of key soil ecosystem services
- define appropriate soil biodiversity indicators
- build in a clear and effective governance structures with provisions for public participation, access to justice and transparency in the processes
- set provisions that ensure the application of the polluter pays principle and polluter liability for the remediation of contaminated site as well
The Soil Monitoring Law the only legal tool to return degraded soils to health by 2050! Do not miss the opportunity!