GEODIVERSITY AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Geodiversity & sustainable development goals 8 & 9.
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Casestudy:
SDG 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas of internationally significant geology that use this as a foundation for sustainable development. By combining the natural and cultural heritage of a region with the support of local people, communities build sustainable geotourism experiences that are of interest to visitors from around the world! By celebrating geodiversity communities can revitalise local economies.
The video below shows geologist Dr Jack Matthews explaining the important of UNESCO Global Geoparks to the sustainable development of a region in Canada, during their UNESCO evaluation visit.
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Casestudy:
SDG 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending
As shown throughout the many examples outlined on this website, geodiversity will be a foundation stone for many of the successes in sustainable development. To secure these advances, increased education and research opportunities in all areas of geodivsersity will be vital - as outlined more generally in SDG 9.5. The International Geoscience Programme within UNESCO serves as a knowledge hub to facilitate international cooperation in geosciences. Prof. Iain Stewart explains more: