The Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ is an ambitious, innovative instrument launched in 2021 by the European Commission to accelerate the development and large-scale deployment of solutions for sustainable land and soil management as part of a wider, green transition. Together with the Soil Strategy, the upcoming Soil Health Law, the EU Soil Observatory and climate policies (such as for carbon farming) the Mission is part of a robust framework for soil protection in the EU. While rooted in the EU research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, the Mission serves as a mechanism to enhance synergies with other EU programmes such as the Common Agricultural Policy and to team up with stakeholders in Member States, EU Associated Countries and global partners.
Life on Earth depends on healthy soils: they are the basis of our food and provide other vital ecosystem services. Soils are a scarce, threatened and non-renewable resource. About 60% of soils in Europe are considered to be unhealthy due to current management practices, pollution, urbanisation and the effects of climate change.
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European Union – Publications office of the European Union