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5 clusters · 19 sources · 55 days · First seen · Last updated

Global and European soil and forest degradation crisis

Overview

Soil degradation continues to pose a critical threat to global food security, biodiversity, and climate stability. In the European Union, the European Commission reports that approximately 70 percent of soils are unhealthy, causing economic damages exceeding 50 billion euros per year. Globally, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that more than half of the world’s soils are in poor condition.

Recent data from the ‘State of the World’s Forests 2026’ report highlights an escalating crisis in forest ecosystems, with approximately 1.56 billion hectares of forest worldwide currently degraded. Between 1990 and 2025, deforestation resulted in the loss of 489 million hectares, while over 460 million hectares underwent degradation due to population growth, land-use changes, and resource demand. Wildfires affect an average of 127 million hectares annually.

While restoration efforts currently cover 206.5 million hectares, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu warned that the window for action is narrowing, noting that poorly designed or delayed restoration will increase long-term costs. Failing to restore these ecosystems could cost the global economy between $878 billion and $6.3 trillion annually. Conversely, a 15-year investment of $2.6 trillion in mitigating land degradation and drought could yield a social return of eight to one.

In Italy, the sixth Forest Atlas report indicates progress, with 3.7 million trees planted in 2025—a 17 percent increase from the previous year. These plantings cover over 5,300 hectares and are estimated to generate approximately €28 million annually in ecosystem services, supported significantly by PNRR funds in metropolitan cities.

Entities

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations · Qu Dongyu · Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils · Global Soil Partnership · FAO

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    FAO report warns of forest loss as global restoration efforts struggle

    Global forest loss reached 489 million hectares since 1990, prompting FAO warnings on the need for holistic restoration. Meanwhile, Italy saw a 17% increase in tree planting in 2025.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    FAO reports 1.56 billion hectares of forest are degraded

    The FAO reports 1.56 billion hectares of forest are degraded globally, warning that failing to restore these ecosystems could cost the global economy up to 8.3% of annual GDP.

  3. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    FAO reports warn of global soil degradation and forest loss

    FAO reports warn that over 1 billion hectares of land are degraded and forest loss is threatening global food security, urging nations to integrate forest and soil management into food policies.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 9 sources
    UN report warns of accelerating global soil degradation

    A UN report warns that over half of the world's soils are in poor condition, threatening food security and biodiversity as degradation accelerates despite available solutions.

  5. [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    European Union soil degradation threatens food security

    Approximately 70% of EU soils are unhealthy, threatening food security and causing over 50 billion euros in annual economic losses due to degradation and climate-related factors.

Sources

arabnews.pk · bookclubz.com · efeverde.com · entilocali-online.it · fr.news.yahoo.com · green.it · grist.org · koreaherald.com · ljnovice.si · polityka.co.pl · primeraplanany.com · project-syndicate.org · quepasamedia.com · razydzisiaj.pl · sudouest.fr · thereportermagazines.com · thevaultznews.com · tob.news · wodnesprawy.pl

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history