Unified Metrics Library - Land degradation, desertification, soil sealing

Did the company have activities of which cause land degradation, desertification or soil sealing, during the period?

Land degradation refers to the deterioration of land quality, impacting the land’s productivity and ecosystem functions. Desertification is the process by which the fertile land turns into an arid desert due to various factors like deforestation. Soil sealing involves covering the soil with impermeable materials, hindering its natural functions and contributing to urbanization-related environmental issues.

Boolean: Yes or No

The indicator assesses the organization’s investments in companies involved in activities that contribute to the above-mentioned detrimental effects of land.

As a part of its commitment to sustainable soil management and preventing desertification, the EU has developed a tool named EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) that provides data for the proportion of land affected by soil degradation in the EU. You can check if your activities fall into the affected areas.

Regulatory Definition

According to the (EU) 2022/1288 of 6 April 2022, it is defined as "Share of investments in investee companies the activities of which cause land degradation, desertification or soil sealing"

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288 of 6 April 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards specifying the details of the content and presentation of the information in relation to the principle of do no significant harm. ANNEX I (Table 2, Indicators applicable to investments in investee companies, Indicator 10)

The organization shall disclose whether it has identified material negative and positive impacts concerning land degradation, desertification or soil sealing.