The report is organized in fourteen chapters.

The first chapter describes the methodology. Chapter 2 introduces the main groups of soil contaminants and also describes the main soil properties. Chapter 3 discusses the main sources of soil pollution, including agriculture. Chapter 4 discusses the impact of soil pollution on the provision of soil ecosystem services. The changes and impairments that soil pollution causes to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and the risks to food security are also presented. Chapter 5 discusses the current global status and trends of soil pollution that threaten ecosystem services, with a focus on diffuse pollution by different contaminants. The regional assessments in Chapters 6 to 12 follow a standard outline: after a brief description of the main biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics of each region, the status and trends of soil pollution associated with the main sources of contaminants are analysed. Chapter 13 aims to reflect the most common soil pollution remediation and management techniques and includes successful case studies. Those using nature-based solutions are of particular interest. Finally, Chapter 14 presents the conclusions and recommendations that should help national authorities and international organizations to design a joint global agenda against soil pollution.

Recommendations to tackle soil pollution include

• Actions to fill knowledge gaps in the pollution cycle: from identification and mapping to monitoring;
• Strengthening legislative frameworks and technical actions;
• Improving awareness and communication;
• Fostering international cooperation and soil pollution monitoring networks