The soil is an important natural resource for people, the environment and the nature. Soils fulfil significant ecological, economic and social functions. The aim of Baden-Württemberg’s soil protection policy is to ensure that land resources are used in an environmentally sustainable fashion in the interests of subsequent generations. This includes protecting land and soil against degradation due to contamination, erosion and compaction as well as reducing land development and ensuring that it is used prudently and efficiently for housing and transport purposes. Most land in Baden-Württemberg is used for agriculture (46%) and forestry (38%). Fourteen percent of land is used for housing and transport (refer also to “Space management”).

One particular challenge for the Ministry is cleaning up contaminated sites. Contaminated sites include former landfills (old rubbish dumps) and polluted land at old industrial sites (derelict industrial sites). Contaminated land is systematically reclaimed in Baden-Württemberg as part of the “Concept for the treatment of contaminated and potentially contaminated land” programme passed by the State Government in 1988. The Bundes-Bodenschutzgesetz [Federal Soil Protection Act] of 17 March 1998 (Federal Law Gazette I , p. 502) and the Landes-Bodenschutz- und Altlastengesetz [State Soil Protection and Contaminated Site Act] of 14 December 2004 (BW Law Gazette, p. 908) outline the legal operating framework for public authorities and companies which are required or commissioned to reclaim land. Efficient management of contaminated sites is an important instrument in the renewed use of the affected land. Managed land recycling of this kind helps to reduce the exploitation of new land.