Kathmandu, December 2, 2025
As the world marks World Soil Day, attention is turning to a reality often overlooked in urban life: cities are built on soil, and the health of that soil is critical for sustainable urban futures.
Soil is commonly associated with farms, forests, and rural landscapes. Yet beneath roads, buildings, and pavements lies urban soil that quietly shapes how cities respond to climate change, flooding, heatwaves, and biodiversity loss. When soil in cities is sealed under concrete and asphalt, its natural functions are disrupted—heat is trapped, rainwater cannot infiltrate the ground, flood risks increase, and demand for energy-intensive air conditioning rises.
Conversely, healthy urban soils combined with diverse vegetation play a powerful role in climate resilience. They help cool neighbourhoods, absorb and store rainwater, capture carbon, support urban biodiversity, and create healthier living environments for people. As cities continue to expand, protecting and restoring urban soil is becoming as important as planning buildings and transport systems.
The scale of the soil challenge is clearly visible across the European Union. Around 95 percent of food consumed in the EU ultimately depends on soil, underscoring its central role in food security. At the same time, an estimated 60–70 percent of EU soils are considered unhealthy, affected by pollution, erosion, sealing, and loss of organic matter. The economic cost is significant, with around €50 billion lost every year due to soil degradation, reflecting impacts on agriculture, infrastructure, water management, and ecosystems.
Recognising these risks, the European Union is taking a major policy step. The EU’s first-ever law on soil monitoring and resilience will come into force on 16 December, marking a milestone in environmental governance. The new framework aims to systematically monitor soil health, prevent further degradation, and support restoration efforts across both rural and urban areas. Policymakers describe the law as a crucial foundation for protecting people, food systems, nature, and the climate in the long term.
World Soil Day 2025 sends a clear message: healthy cities begin with healthy soil. Whether in dense urban centres or surrounding landscapes, safeguarding soil is no longer just an agricultural issue—it is a core requirement for resilient cities, sustainable development, and climate action.
