The 2024 State of Soils in Europe report assesses the state of soil degradation across the EU and other countries in the European Economic Area, including Ukraine, Türkiye, and the Western Balkans. The report shows alarming status and trends, with soil degradation getting much worse in recent years, and highlights the need for immediate action to reverse this trend.
Overall soil erosion is estimated to amount to 1 billion tonnes per year across the EU.
At present date, approximately a quarter (24%) of EU soils are affected by water erosion, mainly in cropland, with projections referring to a possible increase of 13-25 per cent by 2050. Unsustainable water erosion affects about a third (32%) of agricultural land. The mechanical agitation of soil, a common practice in agriculture, can also initiate soil degradation, with a significant impact on cultivated fields. Other forms of erosion include wind erosion and crop harvesting, among others.
Nutrient imbalances are also on the rise: they are now estimated to affect 74 per cent of agricultural land.
These changes to the composition of soil can have negative consequences. For example, nitrogen surplus is increasing and can be harmful to human health, crops, eco-systems, and the climate. Meanwhile, soil organic carbon, which is essential to keeping soil healthy, is decreasing in agricultural areas. An estimated 70 million tonnes of this organic carbon were lost from the mineral soils of croplands across the EU and UK between 2009 and 2018.
The degradation of peatlands is also concerning. These wetlands are essential carbon sinks. In the EU, peatland drainage is responsible for around 5 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions. 50 per cent of peatlands in the EU are now estimated to be degraded, many of which have been irreparably damaged.
Outside the EU, the situation is similarly dire – particularly in Ukraine, where military activities have caused severe soil destruction.
Over 10 million of Ukraine’s 60 million hectares of land are estimated to be degraded because of activity linked to Russia’s invasion. Recovery from this damage could take decades or even centuries. In Türkiye, approximately 1.5 million hectares of land have salinity issues, which can impact both agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. The Western Balkans have reported over 100 identified contaminated or potentially contaminated sites due to mining and industrial activities, although the true extent of soil pollution in these areas remains unknown.
The importance of soil monitoring and new legislation
The State of Soils in Europe report is a collaboration between the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and the European Environment Agency. It sets out the scale of the problem facing Europe today, but it also aims to reinforce and build capacities among the soil research community, while enhancing the engagement of soil users and society.
The EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) has already laid the foundation for better soil monitoring, using advanced tools to improve the quality of data on soil erosion, soil organic carbon levels, and nutrient imbalances. Together with other collaborations and soil monitoring networks, EUSO is also giving a clearer understanding of how agricultural practices and climate change are impacting Europe’s soils.
The EU Soil Monitoring Law aims to ensure that soil degradation is assessed more accurately by creating a monitoring framework, to promote sustainable soil management and to identify potentially contaminated sites. It will standardise data collection across EU member states, ensuring that the insights gathered by EUSO and initiatives like the Land Use/Cover Area frame Survey (LUCAS-Soil) are implemented effectively.
As part of the common agricultural policy (CAP), the sustainable use of agricultural soils is already supported through the CAP Strategic Plans in all Member States by a mix of mandatory and voluntary measures for farmers. For the period 2023-2027, 47 per cent of the European farmland (compared to 15 per cent in the past) will receive support for actions aimed at improving soils or avoiding soil degradation, including by water erosion.
A Soil Deal for Europe
The EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ is a large-scale applied R&D funding programme that supports the EU soil strategy, the upcoming Soil Monitoring Law, and the CAP.
The Mission funds actions to establish harmonised soil health monitoring in the EU; to develop and promote the adoption of sustainable soil management practices and technologies to restore soil health; and to provide advice and education on soil health to managers and citizens. The Mission has invested €435 million so far and has created the first of a network of 100 living labs, with more than 1000 testing sites across a wide range of land-use sectors (agriculture, forestry, industry, urban and regional planning) across Europe. The Mission currently encompasses 50 projects, which are contributing to increase and improve the knowledge of the state of soils in the EU.