text: climate change, the effects of erosion and losses of soil organic carbon are becoming 
  increasingly apparent. Desertification is also a growing threat in the EU35. 
  
  It is therefore essential to step up efforts to**protect soil fertility, reduce soil erosion and**
  **increase soil organic matter**. This should be done by adopting sustainable soil 
  management practices, including as part of the CAP. Significant progress is also needed 
  on identifying contaminated soil sites, restoring degraded soils, defining the conditions 
  for their good ecological status, introducing restoration objectives, and improving the 
  monitoring of soil quality. 
  
  To address these issues in a comprehensive way and help to fulfil EU and international 
  commitments on land-degradation neutrality, the Commission will update the**EU Soil**
  **Thematic Strategy**36 in 2021. The**Zero Pollution Action Plan for Air, Water and Soil**
  that the Commission will adopt in 2021 will also look at these issues. Soil sealing and 
  rehabilitation of contaminated brownfields will be addressed in the upcoming Strategy 
  for a Sustainable Built Environment. A**mission in the area of soil health and food**
  under Horizon Europe37 will aim to develop solutions for restoring soil health and 
  functions. 
  
  *2.2.4. Increasing the quantity of forests and improving their health and*
  
  *resilience*