Esther Goidts is a soil scientist and seconded policy officer at the European Commission, with a strong background in soil protection and contaminated sites policy. Before joining the Commission in 2026, she was a senior advisor within Wallonia’s Soil Protection Direction, where she led R&D on soil degradation, diffuse pollution, and emerging contaminants. Her expertise includes monitoring soil carbon and biological quality, developing soil health indicators, and assessing pollutant transfer and remediation needs. She is deeply engaged in European policy discussions on soil monitoring and works to bridge scientific knowledge and regulatory implementation to achieve healthier soils across Europe.