On Tuesday 2 February, the European Commission launched a public consultation to feed into the future EU strategy for soil protection - an initiative expected in the second quarter of this year as part of the biodiversity strategy for 2030 (see EUROPE 12597/6).
The updated Soil Protection Strategy will aim to contribute to neutral land degradation by 2030, i.e. the restoration of a “healthy state” for the same amount of soil as has been degraded by human activity.
The Commission is seeking the views of as many stakeholders as possible on the challenges facing terrestrial ecosystems and soils, but also on the opportunities they offer in providing valuable services such as food, energy and raw materials, carbon sequestration, water purification and infiltration, nutrient regulation, pest control and recreational opportunities.
“We need to give the European Union a strong soil policy that will enable us to achieve our ambitious climate, biodiversity and food security objectives and to step up our efforts to manage soil in such a way that it can serve the interests of people, nature and the climate”, commented the Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius.
Citizens, organisations and stakeholders are invited to participate in the public consultation until 27 April 2021 at midnight, Brussels time. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)