Swiss National Soil Strategy for sustainable soil management.

The Swiss National Soil Strategy is a national cross-sectoral strategy of Switzerland for the period 2020 up to 2050. Its main objective is to guarantee the functions of soil in the long term so that future generations are also able to use this finite, non-renewable resource for their own needs.
To fulfill this vision, efforts must be made to achieve the following overarch ing objectives: 1. Reduce soil consumption. The objective is that, from 2050 onwards, net soil use in Switzerland will be zero. It will still be possible to build on soil, but if this results in functions being lost, they must be offset elsewhere by improving the soil at that site. 2. Manage soil consumption on the basis of an overall perspective. Soil functions are factored into planning, and the associated balancing of interests, so that soil consumption can be managed in the interests of sustainable development. The soil data required to do so is available. 3. Protect soil from harmful impacts. Soil use does not result in any physical, chemical or biological impacts that might result in a lasting degradation of soil functions and thus soil fertility. Soil use takes account of its current condition and sensitivity, so that ecological soil functions and thus soil fertility are preserved. 4. Restore degraded soils. Where possible and reasonable, degraded soils are restored and improved so that they are once again able to fulfill the functions typical of their site, and that their fertility is reinstated. 5. Improve awareness of the value and sensitivity of soil. Soil is seen as a valuable, sensitive and finite basis of existence, so that action surrounding sustainable soil management finds the necessary level of acceptance. 6. Strengthen international commitment. Switzerland’s economic and social well-being depends not only on its own soil, but also on the preservation of soils abroad. Switzerland is thus an advocate for sustainable soil management at the global level.
The overarching objectives have a time horizon of 20 to 30 years, i. e. a generation. The text sets out these objectives in greater detail for the most relevant fields, and formulate the corresponding strategic approaches.