Land systems — SOER 2015

'Land take' dominates in Europe, with artificial areas and agricultural intensification, resulting in land degradation, worsened by high fragmentation on 30% of land area. Conflicting demands on land impact significantly on the land's potential to supply key services. Limiting 'land take' is already an important policy target at national or sub-national level. Balancing land-recycling, compact urban development, place-based management and green infrastructure will provide positive effects in terms of both adaptation and mititgation to climate change.

Previous version of assessment: Land use — SOER 2010 thematic assessment