Evidence for the third UK climate change risk assessment (CCRA3) - England

Soil health in England is under increasing threat from changing climatic conditions, including seasonal aridity and wetness.

The risk to soils is currently assessed as medium but is projected to increase to high in the future without additional adaptation actions.

Climate is a key factor influencing soil formation, processes, and properties. Changes in temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration, and wind can significantly impact soil productivity.

Recent data analysis for south-east England indicates increased soil erosion due to higher rainfall intensity.

Soil loss in England and Wales is estimated at 2.9 million tonnes per year, with associated productivity losses of approximately £40 million per year and total costs from decreased soil and water quality at £150 million per year.

An estimated 3.9 million hectares of agricultural land in England and Wales are at risk of compaction, particularly on clay soils during wet periods.

Severe degradation of soil quality could have long-term and potentially irreversible implications, given the critical role of soil in supporting biodiversity, providing high-quality farmland, and offering various ecosystem services.

The 25 Year Environment Plan aims to bring all soils into sustainable condition by 2030.

The second National Adaptation Programme focuses on research and monitoring.

The proposed Environmental Land Management scheme could drive greater action by landowners to support soil health, but its implementation details are still being determined.

An integrated land use policy linking agricultural and forestry productivity with measures to improve soil health and resilience is recommended.

Improved support for land managers through access to benchmarking data and advice on soil health would be beneficial.

Despite the identification of soil degradation trends, current measures have not reversed these trends.

Actions that reduce pressures on soils and evidence that soil health is improving are crucial to demonstrating the effectiveness of strategies.

Enhanced ecological resilience through nature-based solutions, such as peatland restoration and catchment-scale management strategies, is emphasised.

Implementing ambitious land use policies like woodland expansion and new bioenergy crops could contribute to both mitigation and adaptation efforts.

These key findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive soil health monitoring, integrated policy approaches, and targeted adaptation actions to address the increasing risks posed by climate change to soils in England.

Recommendations for policy implementation

1. Implement soil conservation measures to reduce degradation and enhance soil organic carbon content.
2. Invest in the restoration of degraded peatlands and other carbon-rich soils to improve their condition and carbon sequestration capacity.
3. Encourage sustainable land management practices that protect and enhance soil health.

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Evidence for the third UK climate change risk assessment (CCRA3) – England