European Mission Soil Week 2024: A Step Towards Healthier Soils

Imagine a bustling city where the air is cleaner, the parks are greener, and the food is fresher—all thanks to the health of the soil beneath our feet. This vision was at the heart of the European Mission Soil Week 2024, which just concluded from 12-13 November 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. This event was more than just a conference; it was a vibrant gathering of minds and hearts dedicated to nurturing the very ground we walk on.

(C) MissionSoilWeek drawing 2024

The event featured a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and field visits that enlightened and inspired attendees. Participants witnessed the unveiling of the first Mission Soil Living Labs, where innovative solutions for soil health were brought to life. Exclusive side events focused on data and knowledge management, soil indicators, and stakeholder engagement.

This year, the spotlight was on the profound connection between soil health and human health, highlighting the critical role that healthy soils play in overall well-being. The importance of caring communities that act as stewards of soil regeneration across Europe was also a key focus, promoting collaborative efforts to restore and maintain healthy soils.

(C) MissionSoilWeek: Slide on the Soil problems overview in Europe

In the area of soil remediation, there was a significant discussion about the need for more standardized soil sampling strategies across EU Member States. This standardization is crucial for ensuring consistent and reliable data, which is essential for effective soil remediation efforts. In line with these efforts, the EU-funded project MIBIREM is also actively working towards the standardization of soil sampling techniques through its comprehensive handbook on soil sampling, further contributing to the consistency and reliability of soil remediation efforts.

Additionally, the conference highlighted the challenges of setting pollution thresholds and the complexities of assessing the risks posed by chemical cocktails—combinations of multiple pollutants present simultaneously in the soil. These issues are critical for developing effective remediation technologies, conducting accurate risk assessments, and understanding the broader environmental impact.

(c) European Commission’s Joint Research Centre: Soil degradation diagram-https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/esdacviewer/euso-dashboard/

As signatory of the Mission Soil Manifesto, MIBIREM is fully aligned with the aims of the European Soil Mission. As MIBIREM focuses on harnessing the power of microbiomes to degrade contaminants in soil and groundwater, it aims to significantly enhance soil health across the EU. By developing a unique technological toolbox, MIBIREM introduces innovative methods for bioremediation. This positions the project and its partners as a key player in the mission to clean up the hundreds of thousands of contaminated sites still present across Europe.

For more information, visit the European Mission Soil Week 2024 website.

Author: Tiziana Centofanti

Environmental Consultant, RTDS Group