National soil monitoring under the tNCEA Programme began in 2022. Provisional updates will be produced from 2024 contributing to a comprehensive and robust baseline for soil health by 2028, subject to further capital funding. This baseline will inform the consideration of the most effective and appropriate future commitments for soil – for example new commitments in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) or development of any future environmental target for soil. Long-term statutory targets can be set under the provisions of section 1 of the Environment Act 2021 in relation to the natural environment and people’s enjoyment of it at any time. We see target-setting as an iterative process, built upon over time as our evidence base and understanding develops. We will continue to keep our targets framework under review. The next review of the EIP, and any revision of it, is due in 2028 as required by the Environment Act 2021. This could include new commitments, or updates to existing commitments. It will also include the next suite of interim targets (which begin from 2028) for all long-term Environment Act 2021 targets, and interim targets for any new statutory long-term targets that have been set before that date.