Soil protection

Soil is an indispensable foundation for life—for nature and society, as well as for their development and sustainable use. Soil cannot be reproduced and has only a limited capacity to withstand stress. Once damaged, soil regenerates and recovers—if at all—only very slowly. Serious risks can arise from the gradual accumulation of environmentally hazardous substances in the soil.

In addition to water and air, soil protection has also been legally established as another objective of environmental protection. In all activities that affect the soil, the precautionary principle of using land sparingly and with care must be observed in order to preserve the natural functions of the soil to a sufficient degree. Harmful soil changes or contaminated sites must be remediated. In this way, the diversity of potential uses can be preserved for future generations.