Combating desertification in the EU: steps so far lack coherence

​The European Commission does not have a clear picture of the challenges presented by the growing threats of desertification and land degradation in the EU, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors. The steps taken so far by the Commission and Member States to combat desertification have limited coherence, say the auditors, and the Commission has not assessed progress towards its goal of achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030.

Desertification describes human- and climate-related processes leading to problems affecting dry areas, such as diminished food production, soil infertility, decreases in the land’s natural resilience, and reduced water quality. Projections of climate change in Europe show that the risk of desertification is increasing. Hot semi-deserts already exist in southern Europe and the phenomenon is extending northwards. Desertification is a consequence, but also a cause of climate change: soil degradation emits greenhouse gases, and degraded soils have a lower capacity to retain carbon.

Thirteen EU Member States have self-declared under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification that they are affected by desertification. In 2015, the EU and Member States committed to strive to achieve land degradation neutrality in the EU by 2030.

The auditors visited five EU Member States affected by desertification: Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania, and examined whether the risk of desertification in the EU was being effectively and efficiently addressed.

They found that, while desertification and land degradation are current and growing threats in the EU, the Commission does not have a clear picture of the challenges, and the steps taken to combat desertification have limited coherence.

“We are seeing an increase in droughts, aridity and risk of desertification due to climate change in the EU”, said Phil Wynn Owen, the Member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the report. “Desertification can bring about poverty, health problems due to wind-blown dust, and a decline in biodiversity. It can also have demographic and economic consequences, forcing people to migrate away from affected areas. As auditors, we have a responsibility to draw attention to such risks, which could place growing pressure on public budgets, both at EU and national levels.”