The environmental impact of land used for building new roads, houses or energy grids should be better integrated into European Union policies, according to a report released by the European Environment Agency.
A preliminary review on how land is used in the EU found that more attention should be paid to environmental concerns.
The report ‘The direct and indirect impacts of EU policies on land,’ looks at key aspects of land use, including land take, which is when land is ‘taken’ or developed for infrastructure such as roads, or rail networks. Land take can lead to land degradation and have a negative impact on the natural functioning of soils. Land take involves soil sealing, which can lead to soil biodiversity loss and subsequent knock-on effects on ecosystems, food production and the regulation of water.
Key findings of the report include:
- The need to further integrate land objectives across EU policies.
- EU policies have major impacts on land use. Without these EU policies, coherent and effective integration of land use practices cannot be possible.
- Future policy making on land should consider setting targets on better land use as part of new EU policy on land as a resource.
- Placing a monetary value on the ecosystem services lost through land take and land degradation should also be considered as part of an EU policy making, assessment and evaluation process.
Further information, including the report, is available on the European Environment Agency website.