Soil carbon sequestration policies in the European Union.

Restoring Soil, Capturing Carbon, and Driving Climate Action

Soil is one of Europe’s most overlooked climate allies. Rich in organic matter, agricultural and forest soils across the European Union (EU) have the potential to capture and store significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Recognizing this, the EU is increasingly integrating soil carbon sequestration into its climate, agricultural, and environmental policies.

At the core of these efforts is a growing awareness that healthy soils mean a healthier planet.

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What Is Soil Carbon Sequestration?

Soil carbon sequestration is the process of absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) through plants and storing it as organic carbon in soil. This occurs naturally via photosynthesis, root growth, and microbial activity, but it can be enhanced through specific land management practices.

In the EU, improving soil carbon sequestration aligns with multiple goals:

• Climate change mitigation
• Soil health and biodiversity
• Sustainable agriculture and land use

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Key EU Policies Supporting Soil Carbon Sequestration

???? The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

The CAP, one of the EU’s most influential tools, supports soil carbon through:

• Eco-schemes and Agri-environment-climate measures (AECMs) that reward farmers for practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, organic farming, and agroforestry.
• Carbon farming pilots, encouraging farmers to integrate carbon sequestration practices in return for financial incentives.

???? EU Soil Strategy for 2030

Adopted in 2021, this strategy aims to ensure that all EU soils are healthy by 2050, with key targets including:

• Increasing soil organic carbon stocks in agricultural land.
• Reducing erosion and land degradation.
• Launching a legally binding Soil Health Law by 2025 (in development).

???? European Green Deal & Farm to Fork Strategy

These flagship EU initiatives frame soil carbon as a climate solution:

• The Green Deal sets a goal for climate neutrality by 2050, with soil sequestr