INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR SOIL PROTECTION: NORMATIVE GAPS AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

Protecting soils from degradation is a significant area of research in international environmental law. Almost all states face soil degradation problems and are striving to solve them at a national level. The quality of soils is decreasing worldwide, which affects states' ability to ensure food security and protect biodiversity. The different approaches adopted by various states to this problem result in insufficient legal regulation of soil protection at a national level. It is therefore imperative that effective international legal regulation of soil protection and international co-operation in this sphere be established. The purpose of this article is twofold: firstly, to analyse the international legal regulation of soil protection, and secondly, to identify existing problems and propose solutions. An analysis was conducted of statistical data pertaining to the deterioration of soils, in addition to the economic consequences thereof. Methodology. General theoretical methods were mainly used when writing the article. The sufficiency of international legal regulation of the protection of soils from deterioration was assessed using analysis and synthesis, theoretical generalisation and systematic interpretation. Results. The article examined the content of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the FAO's Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management and national strategies aimed at combating desertification and protecting soils, identifying their shortcomings. Practical implications. Drawing on doctrinal principles and the provisions of current international law, the authors have identified the main challenges facing the international legal framework for the protection of soils against degradation and have proposed possible solutions. Value/Originality. It has been determined that a significant step in enhancing the international legal regulation of soil protection is the adoption of international standards for climate-resilient agricultural practices and soil protection.