UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.

Background

Geoparks are definitely not just about geology, but they want to protect and show the link between the geological heritage (geoheritage) of our Planet and related natural heritage (biosphere) and cultural heritage (tangible elements as monuments and intangible too, as traditions). This way, they are in close connection and coordination with other national and international projects (like national parks), and they are especially related to fellow UNESCO programmes:

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: promote the conservation of natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value of humanity
• UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme: focuses on the harmonized management of biological and cultural diversity
• UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage: elements of our common culture that cannot be touched (e.g. oral traditions, rituals, knowledge concerning nature)

As of 2020, there are 147 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 41 countries; they are members of the Global Geoparks Network. Several geoparks worldwide are applying for the label, they are the so-called aspiring geoparks. In some countries like China, Japan or Germany, there is an extensive network of national geoparks too, that follow similar guidelines, but without UNESCO labeling (so far). The UNESCO Global Geopark title is given for 4 years and then re-evaluated to ensure the quality of protection, education and development objectives in the area.

Geoheritage and its connection to biodiversity and cultural heritage appears in many forms. The so-called geosites are the exact “physical location” where important elements of geology can be found: landforms, caves, mines, quarries that illustrate well certain geological processes. They have or they are in coordination with museums, interpretation centers where people can learn about the geology of the geopark. Finally, they offer numerous activities and products, such as tours, or even food inspired by geology!

Their mission is to:

• inform people about the sustainable use and need for natural resources
• raise the awareness on geological hazards, like volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides
• show visitors how climate change can affect our environment, as geoheritage often hold records of past climate changes
• through education (both for children and adults!), spread awareness of our geological heritage and its links to natural, cultural and intangible heritage
• promoting active scientific research in the Earth Sciences in their territory
• conserve the geoheritage with necessary protection measures, monitoring, discouraging sale of geological products (minerals, fossils, etc.)
• celebrating the links between our communities and the Earth, like building materials, landforms in mythology
• involve and promote local and indigenous knowledge
• sustainable development and forms of green tourism (e.g. walking paths, local-focus in products, employees)

Africa

Asia

Europe

North America

South America