Speaker
Europe's first Soil Monitoring Law
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Soil degradation is a pressing challenge, with an estimated 60-70% of EU soils currently in poor health. Healthy soils are fundamental to broader societal wellbeing, ecological resilience and a sustainable economy, as they provide critical functions. They are also key in addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
In response to this urgent issue, the European Commission has taken a series of steps, including the adoption of the Soil Strategy for 2030, the proposal for a Soil Monitoring Law and the launch of the Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”. Central to this mission is the establishment of 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses to support the transition towards healthy soils through research and innovation and the demonstration and testing of solutions.
This event – hosted by the SOILL-Startup project which provides the support structure for these living labs and lighthouses - takes place at a key moment, as EU institutions prepare to adopt the first ever EU law on soils. It will serve as a platform to explore the transformative opportunities that the Soil Monitoring Law offers and provide insights into how potential applicants for future Soil Mission Living Labs can leverage the law's implementation processes.
The event brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, regional representatives and civil society, to foster dialogue and collaboration, at a key political momentum for healthy soils in Europe.
Objectives of the event
- Attracting applicants for future Soil Mission Living Labs by shedding light on this opportunity through the timely policy perspective of the Soil Monitoring Law adoption and implementation.
- Creating connections between the policy, science, and practical spheres to foster collaboration and shared understanding.
- Highlighting potential impacts of the Soil Monitoring Law on Living Labs and showcasing how living labs can, in turn, support its implementation.
We are finalising an amazing agenda, stay tuned!
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9:00-9:30 | Welcome coffee and registration
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9:30-9:50 | Opening Session
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- Opening keynote speech
- Presentation of the Mission Soil project “SOILL-Startup” | Joanna Komperda and Gianpiero Petruzziello, ERRIN
Joanna Komperda
ERRINSpeaker
Gianpiero Petruzziello
ERRIN -
9:50-10:35 | Setting the Scene
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- The state of soils in Europe | Dr. Carlos António Guerra, University of Coimbra, project coordinator of the SOLO project
- EU policy actions on soils | Mirco Barbero, Team Leader of Soil Team of the Unit Land Use & Management, European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment
- The Soil Mission, its Living Labs and EU policy | Jelena Vidovic, Soil Mission Secretariat, European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development
Speaker
Dr. Carlos António Guerra
University of CoimbraSOLO ProjectSpeaker
Mirco Barbero
European Commission, Directorate-General for EnvironmentSpeaker
Jelena Vidovic
European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development -
10:35-10:55 | Coffee Break
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10:55-11:55 | Panel discussion: How can the Soil Monitoring Law help improve soil health? What role can the Soil Mission Living Labs play in achieving this?
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Moderator: Sergiy Moroz, Policy Manager for Nature, EEB
- Angèle Liaigre, Senior EU Advisor, Cities Northern Netherlands EU Office
- Kristine De Schamphelaere, Policy Officer for Agriculture, Pesticide Action Network Europe
- Dr Paraskevi Chantzi, Living Lab representative of the LILAS4Soils project Representative of the Danish presidency of the Council
Moderator
Sergiy Moroz
EEBSpeaker
Dr. Paraskevi Chantzi
LILAS4Soils ProjectSpeaker
Kristine De Schamphelaere
Pesticide Action Network EuropeSpeaker
Angèle Liaigre
Cities Northern Netherlands EU Office -
11:55-12:15 | Soil Mission Living Lab calls
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Information on funding opportunities and Q&A (SOILL consortium)
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12:15-12:20 | Closing of the event
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As of 12:30 | Networking drinks and light lunch
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