Dominique Guyonnet, head of the scientific programme entitled "Management of mining and industrial impacts on the soil and subsurface" at BRGM, acted on behalf of Catherine Lagneau, CEO of BRGM, at the signing of the Mission Soil European manifesto (Orléans, 5 December 2023).
© BRGM
BRGM,the French geological survey, works to restore and rehabilitate sites and soils damaged by industrial and mining activities.
A mission to protect and restore soils in Europe
At an event organised in Orléans for World Soil Day by the French Association for Soil Research (AFES - Association Française pour l'Étude du Sol), BRGM signed the European manifesto of Mission Soil along with several partners.
The aim of the mission is to support research and innovation work on soils in Europe, with the specific aim of creating 100 living laboratories (where experiments can be carried out in the field) and showcase laboratories (where best practices can be promoted) by 2030 for the transition to healthy soils in rural and urban areas.
In signing this manifesto, BRGM undertakes to contribute to the protection and restoration of soil health.
Soil is essential to human life and ecosystems. 95% of our food comes from soil. Healthy soils provide us with clean water and clean air. They trap carbon, mitigate climate change and increase the Earth's capacity to adapt to it while supporting biodiversity. Soil also underpins our landscape and cultural heritage and forms the basis of our economy and prosperity. We recognise that soil is fundamental to our well-being. With this Manifesto, we are establishing a community that cares for the soil.
Management of mining and industrial impacts on soils and the subsurface: with BRGM in the forefront
To restore the health of soils affected by the consequences of past industrial and mining activities, BRGM:
- develops research and expertise for a variety of purposes, including characterising what happens to contaminants in the soil-water-sediment system and how they are transported, developing innovative soil decontamination technologies and creating information systems to raise risk awareness and inform the general public;
- helps shape public policy on the management of degraded soils on both the French and the European level;
- advises the Ministry of the Environment on the sustainable management of polluted sites and soils or the reuse of excavated soil in line with the principles of the circular economy and effective control of environmental and health risks;
- contributes to the development of standards (ISO) to promote best practices for managing contaminated soil.
We are committed and motivated to contribute to the protection and restoration of soil health in our capacity, sector, and territory as this is a fundamental resource for the place where we live and for our well-being. We will contribute to raise awareness on the importance of soil and enlarge the community actively involved in caring for this precious resource.
