Position Paper: Ethics, Law & Sociology
Unlike other environmental resources such as air, solar energy or water, soil is almost always subject to ownership rights. This can potentially create a conflict between preserving soil as a common good and the pursuit of maximising its productivity as a factor of production. This project explores sociological, legal and ethical perspectives and, based on a multi-perspective reflection, develops future-oriented recommendations for action.
Contact
Anna Henkel, Johannes Wallacher
Objective / Vision
The project examines sociological, legal and ethical perspectives on conflicts of interest in the context of soil and ownership, as well as soil and values. At its core is the tension between preserving soil as a common good – as a basis for life and human well-being – and using soil as a factor of production for short-term yield maximisation. A key source of conflicts surrounding land ownership lies in the multifunctionality of soil and the even more diverse ways in which land can be used.
Three key issues are at the centre of the project: increasing soil consumption, the lack of prioritisation between competing interests, and privatised access to soil. In addition, the project addresses how soil is understood and valued, existing knowledge gaps, and the distribution of responsibility for soil health in the context of social and systemic factors.
Method
The project follows an interdisciplinary approach to reflection and develops recommendations for action based on its findings.
What is the desired result?
The panel explores questions such as:
What problems and challenges surrounding soil ownership emerge from each individual perspective?
What proposals could help improve the situation of soils?
What proposals are there for improving the condition of soils?
These questions are explored individually and discussed at a subsequent panel meeting. During the Soil Summit 2026, the discussion will also be opened up to other panels, creating an opportunity to incorporate additional perspectives.
The project is expected to culminate in a joint position paper in spring 2027.
Who is the project aimed at?
The aim of the discussion is to identify key problems and challenges and develop concrete proposals for improving the situation of soils. These may include legal instruments, communication and educational measures, as well as practical implementation proposals.
How is Forum Nantesbuch involved?
The transdisciplinary Forum Nantesbuch network has supported the project by contributing a range of professional perspectives and helping to formulate its content in a way that is both technically precise and accessible to a broader audience.