Soil degradation affects food security and ecosystem services. Globally, 1.7 billion people live in areas where crop yields are declining as a result of soil degradation. In Europe, more than 60 per cent of soils are in poor condition. Climate change exacerbates the situation as extreme weather conditions become more common. The EU Soil Mission aims to improve soil health through measures such as preventing erosion, improving soil structure and increasing the amount of organic carbon stored in soils.