The implications of land take, urban sprawl and soil sealing for people, businesses and the environment

In the pursuit of sustainable development, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has been a leading voice, addressing critical issues such as land use and its profound implications for people, businesses and the environment. This article revolves around the implementation of the no net land take policies, a pivotal strategy aiming to reconcile economic progress with environmental preservation.

Within this broader context, the EESC has raised significant concerns regarding the potential threat posed by land grabbing, fuelled by various EU policy areas, including policies on the bioeconomy, trade and agriculture. The acquisition of agricultural land by external investors and entities raises alarms about its adverse impact on family farms. In response, the EESC advocates for protective measures to ensure the sustainability of family farming, which is a viable alternative to the challenges posed by industrialised agriculture.

Taking into account the multilateral values of soil, the protection of soil is important for maintaining the identity, culture and heritage of rural areas. Not only is soil used in different production processes, but it is the link between generations, current and future ones, and this should remain unchanged.

Addressing issues related to responsible land governance, the EESC has been actively urging Member States to implement the voluntary guidelines on responsible governance on tenure, which seeks to establish a robust framework that safeguards against unfair practices and promotes responsible land tenure.

The EESC has also called upon the European Parliament and the Council to deliberate on the free movement of capital concerning the alienation and acquisition of agricultural land and agribusinesses. This debate not only extends within the EU but also raises questions about how these movements might affect relationships with third countries. Striking a balance between economic interests and responsible land use becomes imperative in these discussions.

The free movement of capital contributes to land grabbing, driven by factors like globalization, population growth, and rising demand for resources. Large corporations, dominating the land market, distort its functioning, affecting prices and lease conditions. The swift movement of capital from one region or continent to another exacerbates over-exploitation and soil degradation, emphasizing the generational responsibility for soil protection within sustainable development principles.

In its opinion on the Soil Health Law, the EESC recognises the strategic importance of soil as an economic and environmental asset, recalling that healthy soils are a fundamental resource for food production. Advocating for a European legal framework, the committee aims to prevent soil degradation, support restoration programmes and establish a road map towards maintaining good soil health. This underlines the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

The principle of transversal multilevel and multistakeholder approaches in the field of urban development can be easily transferred to soil management and governance, taking into account urban?rural complementarity.

Urbanisation processes, often resulting in land take, present a significant challenge. While the EESC supports the ambitious goal of achieving the no net land take objective by 2050, it also emphasises the importance of accompanying this goal with incentives that encourage the reuse of abandoned sites and the restoration of unused impermeable surfaces. This approach seeks to mitigate the impact of urbanisation on fertile soils, thus aligning with the broader objectives of responsible land management.

The EESC prioritises the importance of a circular and resource-efficient economy in safeguarding the ecological productivity of European soils. Initiatives for deforestation-free guarantees in international trade underline the need for responsible global engagement in land use practices.

Acknowledging the substantial land use of the livestock sector, the EESC calls for a European protein strategy that aligns with regional feed potential. The emphasis is on sustainability and responsible land management within the agricultural sector that also enhances biodiversity.

At the same time, the EESC calls for the better support of the use of abandoned land and for the consideration of land that could be recovered through the reduction of food waste (20 % of the food produced in the EU is wasted ).

Moreover, in its recent own-initiative opinion on the role of young people in rural development, the EESC recognises that generational renewal in the agricultural sector and access to land are key components of fostering vibrant rural communities. As Europe strives for a more sustainable and inclusive future, the engagement of young people is increasingly pivotal, including on matters relating to land use planning and management.

In light of these considerations, the EESC emphasises the critical role of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in preserving access to and sustainable use of agricultural land across the EU. To address the decline in the number of farms and to promote generational renewal, the EESC calls for action to increase average earnings from farming and improve access to land. This includes measures such as investment grants, preferential credit, national legislation regarding land transfer, and favourable investment conditions under the second pillar, bringing additional private funding. In addition, the CAP must play a vital role in preventing land abandonment and promoting the sustainable exploitation of marginal land to ensure the overall attractiveness of rural areas.

In addition, in its opinion on soil health, the EESC highlights the need for a standardised list of examples of forms of land cover. This list would provide a common framework for all Member States to monitor land cover consistently, particularly in cases where doubts may arise regarding the classification of artificial land. This standardised approach aims to enhance transparency and facilitate effective decision-making regarding land use policies across the EU.

Soil is not an ordinary resource in the necessary mix of resources in development. Soil is a source of life, is critical for biodiversity and plays a critical role in the climate transition. The relation between soil and development is very sensitive and needs to be approached by taking into account future needs at the same time as protecting life. The handling of soil must take into account intersectoral and interinstitutional cooperation and integration at strategic and operational levels in order to ensure the just, green and productive usage of soil.

Nicoletta Merlo, EESC member and rapporteur of EESC Opinion: The role of youth in rural development; Stoyan Tchoukanov, EESC member and rapporteur of EESC Opinion: Promoting autonomous and sustainable food production strategies for the common agricultural policy post-2027; Florian Marin, EESC member and rapporteur of EESC Opinion: Thematic partnerships under the Ljubljana Agreement.