The European Evaluation Helpdesk for the CAP has published a new report titled “Rough estimate of the soil protection potential of the CAP Strategic Plans over the 2023 period.”
The study analyses 13 CAP Strategic Plans from Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania; chosen for their ambition in soil protection and for representing the diversity of Europe’s pedo-climatic conditions.
The report presents a newly developed method for quantifying the potential impacts of CAP Strategic Plans on soil health, using six key indicators: soil organic carbon content, soil nitrogen stocks, soil water retention capacity, soil packing density, nitrogen leaching, and runoff and soil erosion by water.
“The approach developed aims to be easy to use, update, and replicate by policymakers and evaluators. It demonstrates how quantified rough estimates can support the evaluation of the current CAP’s contribution to environmental and soil health objectives, and assist in the design of future CAP green architecture,”
Adrien De Pierrepont, European Evaluation Helpdesk for the CAP.
The report provides valuable insights for policymakers and evaluators seeking to strengthen the environmental performance of the CAP and ensure long-term soil health across the EU.