A comparative analysis assessment on policy, soils, and water in European countries: A pathway for sustainability

Although European efforts to improve water and soil management have improved over recent decades, turning policies into practical actions remains a challenge. In this study we analyze water and soil management policies, institutional arrangements, and market dynamics across 14 European countries (Albania, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine) to understand how they influence the adoption of sustainable practices and new technologies. We used a mixed-method approach. An extensive review of European and national policies has been undertaken. Additionally, structured questionnaire responses and Excel-based national policy summaries were collected from stakeholders and integrated for cross-country comparison. The comparative analysis suggests that national strategic plans (NSPs) align well with EU frameworks such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Water Framework Directive (WFD), and stakeholders typically report benefits for climate resilience and pollution reduction. Yet implementation often falls short in practice. Technology adoption appears sensitive to cost and short-term profitability. High technology costs, uncertain returns for farmers, and limited awareness within agricultural communities commonly prevent adoption. Importantly, while policies seem effective at promoting overall sustainability goals, they are less consistently linked to rapid technological adoption.