The European Commission’s EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) has released its 2024 annual report, providing key updates on the state of Europe’s soils and outlining priorities for 2025. As the Commission’s dedicated soil research task force, EUSO plays a central role in monitoring and managing soil health across the EU.
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The report reaffirms EUSO’s commitment to addressing soil degradation, with a particular focus on nutrient imbalances, contamination, erosion, and unsustainable land use. The latest assessment reveals that 60% of EU soils are affected by at least one major degradation process - such as organic carbon loss, compaction, or pollution—each of which has significant consequences for food security, agricultural productivity and ecosystem services.
Beyond its scientific role, EUSO supports regulatory initiatives, most notably the proposed Soil Monitoring Law (SML). In 2024, it assisted the European Commission during negotiations with the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, responding to technical questions from policymakers. A detailed bulletin on these support activities is expected to be published in 2025.
As part of this work, EUSO also enhanced the EU’s soil monitoring system to meet the requirements of the proposed law. This system is essential for tracking changes in soil health and relies on data from national programmes, citizen science and satellite observations. Through its working group on data sharing and its partnerships with soil health initiatives, EUSO is building a central hub of information to support evidence-based policy and action.
In addition, EUSO launched the EU Soil Strategy Action Tracker, a digital tool monitoring progress on the 90 actions in the EU Soil Strategy for 2030. By the end of 2024, 69% of these actions were completed, 27% were ongoing, and 4% had been withdrawn. Completed actions include the launch of a soil literacy engagement and awareness initiative. Among the ongoing efforts is the review of contaminant limits for EU fertilizing products, which is scheduled for completion by 2026 as part of the broader revision of relevant EU regulations.
Looking ahead, EUSO will continue to strengthen links between soil data and wider environmental policies. In 2025, its priorities will include launching the EU Soil Health Portal, refining monitoring methodologies, developing a Pollution Watch List, analysing new soil samples, and deepening collaboration with stakeholders across the EU.
More information available at:
EUSO annual report 2024 - https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC141262
Soil Strategy Action Tracker - https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/esdacviewer/action-tracker/
EUSO Soil Degradation Dashboard - https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/esdacviewer/euso-dashboard/