An RFID-based sensor is provided with an RFID chip and an antenna electrically connected to the RFID chip. The antenna is adapted to receive energy from an RF field and produce a signal. The sensor also includes a sensing material electrically connected to the antenna and having an electrical property which varies in the presence of an environmental factor. The sensor is further provided with a dielectric spacer material and a ground element which is adapted to at least partially isolate the sensing material from the environmental factor.