The 2nd ESA Symposium on Earth Observation for Soil Protection and Restoration (EO4Soil 2026) will take place from 4 to 6 November 2026 at ESA-ESRIN in Frascati, Italy. Building on the success of its first edition, the symposium will bring together scientists, policymakers, and industry representatives to explore how Earth Observation can support soil protection, sustainable management, and restoration.

Soils play a critical role in ecosystem functioning, food production, climate regulation, and biodiversity, yet they are increasingly under pressure. In this context, EO technologies – particularly through the Copernicus Programme – offer unprecedented opportunities to monitor soil health indicators such as organic carbon, moisture, nutrients, and land degradation dynamics at multiple scales. The symposium will assess how these capabilities can contribute to Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems and support policy frameworks such as the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 and the Soil Monitoring Law.

The event will feature a comprehensive programme structured around policy perspectives, scientific and technical advancements, and real-world applications.

By fostering dialogue between the EO community and key stakeholders, the symposium aims to identify future research priorities, methodological gaps, and opportunities for innovation.

Abstract submission is now open and will close on 13 August 2026. Please submit your abstract here.