Land use transformation, the longest-standing human-driven environmental alteration, is a pressing and complex issue that significantly impacts European landscapes and contributes to global environmental change. The urgency to act is reinforced by the European Environment Agency (EEA), which identifies industrial, commercial, and residential development—particularly near major urban centers—as key contributors to land take. As the EU sets a vision for achieving zero net land take by 2050, assessing the readiness and coherence of national legislation becomes critical. This comprehensive study employs a comparative legal analysis across five European countries—Italy, Greece, Poland, France, and Ukraine—examining their laws, strategies, and commitments related to land degradation neutrality. Using a review of national legislation and policy documents, the research identifies systemic patterns, barriers, and opportunities within current legal frameworks. The present study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and academic institutions, fostering a comprehensive understanding of existing gaps, implementation, and inconsistencies in national land use legislation. Among the results, it has become evident that a typical “pathway” between the examined states in terms of the legislative framework on land use–land take is probably a utopia for the time being. The legislations in force, in several cases, are labyrinthine and multifaceted, highlighting the urgent and immediate need for simplification and standardization. The need for this action is further underscored by the fact that, in most cases, land use frameworks are characterized by complementary legislation and ongoing amendments. Ultimately, the research underscores the critical need for harmonized governance and transparent, enforceable policies, particularly in regions where deregulated land use planning persists. The diversity in legislative layers and the decentralized role of the authorities further compounds the complexity, reinforcing the importance of cross-country dialogue and EU-wide coordination in advancing sustainable land use development.

Graviera Naxos, a renowned cheese with Protected Designation of Origin status, is crafted from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep milk. This study focused on assessing the Sr isotopic and multi-elemental composition of both the processed cheese and its ingredients, as well as the environmental context of Naxos Island, including samples of milk, water, soil, and feed. The objective was to delineate the geochemical signature of Graviera Naxos cheese and to explore the utility of Sr isotopes as indicators of geographic origin. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values for Graviera Naxos samples ranged from 0.70891 to 0.70952, indicating a relatively narrow range. However, the Sr isotopic signature of milk, heavily influenced by the feed, which originates from geologically distinct areas, does not always accurately reflect the local breeding environment. Multi-elemental analysis revealed variations in milk composition based on type and season; yet, no notable differences were found between raw and pasteurized milk. A mixing model evaluating the contributions of milk, sea salt, and rennet to the cheese’s Sr isotopic signature suggested a significant average contribution of 73.1% from sea salt. This study highlights the complexities of linking dairy products with their geographical origins and emphasizes the need for sophisticated geochemical authentication methods.

Carbon sequestration is a natural process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in plant biomass, soils, oceans, and geological formations- a very important process for reducing greenhouse gas concentrations, mitigating climate change and improving soil health. This study explores the environmental impact of implementing Nature Based Solutions (NBSs) in peach orchards and olive groves in Greece, using a cradle-to-farm-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. It specifically examines the chemical, physical, and soil conditions necessary for humification and organic carbon accumulation. The objectives are to: (1) assess the effectiveness NBSs in enhancing soil carbon sequestration within different agricultural management practices, (2) quantify the impact of cultivation transitions on soil carbon storage capacity and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, (3) integrate soil carbon stock dynamics into LCA methodologies to improve accuracy in carbon footprint assessments, and (4) highlight the importance of soil organic carbon (SOC) pools and soil properties in refining LCA interpretations for sustainable land management. By Implementing NBSs at pilot sites and using the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification system to track GHG emissions and SOC changes in the field, carbon stocks increased: −179.2 kg CO₂ eq in the peach orchard and −186.3 kg CO₂ eq in the olive grove. GHG emissions reduced by 16.4% in peach cultivation and 51.1% per hectare in olive grove. Main emission sources included crop protection and field energy use; in olives, residue management also played a significant role. This study provides empirical evidence on how NBSs can enhance soil carbon sequestration and reduce GHG emissions, contributing to both climate change mitigation and sustainable agricultural management. These findings demonstrate the value of integrating SOC dynamics into LCA for more reliable carbon assessments, offering a more accurate representation of carbon sequestration potential. The study can support policymakers, farmers, and stakeholders in adopting strategies that maximize environmental benefits and promote soil health. More long- term research on the implementation of Nature Based Solutions is required to properly assess their impact across cultivations, soil types and pedoclimatic zones.