Soil News

New report on soil health in Europe 

The new State of Soils in Europe 2024 report, presented at the EU Soil Observatory Stakeholder Forum, provides an in-depth analysis of soil degradation across the EU and neighbouring countries, including Ukraine, Türkiye, and the Western Balkans. The findings paint a concerning picture, revealing that soil degradation has worsened in recent years. The report highlights urgent calls for action, with soil erosion alone estimated at 1 billion tonnes per year, affecting 24% of EU soils, primarily in cropland. Projections suggest a further 13-25% increase in erosion by 2050. 

New study on link between soil health and primary productivity across Europe 

Conducted by EU Soil Observatory scientists in collaboration with the Universities of Zurich and Tartu, the study covers 588 sites from 27 countries. It reveals that soil health is significantly higher in woodlands compared to grasslands and croplands, with woodlands showing 31.4% and 76.1% higher soil health scores, respectively. The research highlights that while soil health positively impacts productivity in croplands and grasslands, climate is the primary driver of woodland productivity. 

FAO and WFP join forces to clear mines and restore agricultural land and soils in Ukraine 

In Ukraine, war-related mines and explosive remnants have turned once-productive farmland into hazardous minefields. To address this pressing issue, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have launched a joint initiative focused on clearing mines and assessing soil health to help farmers return to their fields and restore food production. To support the soil health assessment component of this initiative, FAO has partnered with the Belgian Soil Laboratory Network (BESOLAN) to develop tailored training programmes for Ukrainian scientists from institutions responsible for assessing and managing soil chemical contamination. FAO aims to train 25 Ukrainian participants on soil and groundwater contamination by March 2025. This crucial work to combat war-related contaminants is key to restoring agricultural productivity and ensuring food safety and security in the region. 

Discover the Mission Soil winners of the EU TalentOn competition! 

The EU TalentOn competition has announced its winners at the Silesian Museum in Katowice, bringing together 108 young researchers from 38 countries to address societal challenges aligned with the EU Missions. Participants were divided into 27 groups of four, each pitching their innovative projects to an international jury. The first prize in the Mission Soil category was awarded to the ReviSoil team, who presented cutting-edge solutions for enhancing soil health. The second prize went to the SOILution team. Together, all winning projects shared a total prize pool of EUR 75,000. 

OTHER NEWS

SmartField: pioneering solutions to nitrogen challenges in agriculture 

The Novo Nordisk Foundation, a signatory of the Mission Soil Manifesto, has awarded up to DKK 134 million (around EUR 18 million) to the Danish Technological Institute for the development of SmartField, an innovative platform aimed at tackling the urgent environmental challenges posed by nitrogen in agriculture. Designed to significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching, SmartField will offer advanced measurement infrastructure and data models to help farmers implement effective solutions. With the potential to lower N2O emissions by 20-30% by 2030, this multi-stakeholder initiative positions Denmark at the forefront of sustainable agricultural practices, showcasing how innovative research can drive meaningful climate action. 

Introducing Green Assist: empowering sustainable investments 

The Green Advisory Service for Sustainable Investments Support, known as Green Assist, is an initiative under InvestEU, funded by the LIFE programme. With a budget of up to EUR 30 million, Green Assist aims to create a robust pipeline of impactful green investment projects across various sectors, including natural capital and the circular economy. Project promoters and financial institutions can access tailored advisory services from a pool of distinguished experts at no cost, empowering them to develop and implement sustainable projects that align with the goals of the European Green Deal Investment Plan. 

Young scientists take action to tackle societal challenges 

At the recent EU Contest for Young Scientists, aspiring innovators showcased their groundbreaking projects addressing pressing societal issues, from nitrogen pollution to battery recycling. Four scientists received top honours for their work, each winning EUR 7,000. Among them, Piotr Olbryś from Poland explored environmentally friendly lithium-ion batteries, while Nikhil Vemuri developed a tool to optimise fertiliser use, reducing nitrogen runoff in farming.