What are geoparks?
What is a UNESCO Global Geopark?
Geoparks are geographical areas with sites and landscapes of international geological significance. They are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Our approach is to combine conservation with sustainable development. To involve the local communities whilst promoting international tourism and travel.
Whilst a Global Geopark must demonstrate geological heritage of international significance, the purpose of a geopark is to explore, develop and celebrate the links between that geological heritage and all other aspects of the area’s natural, cultural, and intangible heritages. It is about reconnecting human society at all levels to the planet we all call home and to celebrate how our planet and it’s 4,600-million-year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and our societies.
Geoparks encourage awareness of the story of the planet as read in the rocks, landscape and ongoing geological processes. They also promote the links between geological heritage and all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage. This clearly demonstrates that geodiversity is the foundation of all ecosystems and the basis of human interaction with the landscape.
At present there are 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks across 50 countries around the world. Presently, there are 3 UNESCO Global Geoparks in Ireland and 9 in the UK. Find the full list of Global Geoparks here
European Geopark Network
The European Geopark Network (EGN) was set up in 2000 by areas in France, Greece, Germany and Spain. They were so successful that the idea spread. There are now 109 geoparks in 28 countries across Europe. The EGN holds annual meetings every March hosted by one of the European Geoparks.
Global Geopark Network
In 2004, the European and Chinese networks met at UNESCO in Paris and joined together to form the Global Geopark Network (GGN). The GGN holds annual meetings every September hosted by one of the Global Geoparks.
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is a non-profit and a non-governmental organisation. It was
initially founded in 2004 as an international partnership developed under the umbrella of UNESCO,
and was officially registered as an association in 2014 subjecting to French law. The Global Geoparks Network is the official partner of UNESCO for the operation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks.
Networking and collaboration among Global Geoparks is an important component of the Global
Geoparks Network.
The four GGN Regional Geoparks Networks are the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN), the European Geoparks Network (EGN), the Latin America and Caribbean Geoparks Network (GeoLAC) and the African UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (AUGGN).
UNESCO Global Geopark Network (UGGp)
On 17 November 2015, the 195 Member States of UNESCO ratified the creation of a new programme, UNESCO Global Geoparks. This gives government recognition to the importance of managing outstanding geological sites and landscapes in a holistic manner.
Currently there are 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 50 countries. Download a map of all geoparks. Here is detailed information on each UNESCO Global Geopark including the 9 other UK geoparks.
A UNESCO Global Geopark must contain geology of international significance in a living, working landscape where science and local communities engage in a mutually beneficial way.
Education at all levels is at the core of the UNESCO Global Geopark concept. Local community groups to university researchers.
UNESCO Global Geoparks sit within UNESCO’s International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which encourages international cooperation between areas with geological heritage of international value, through a bottom-up approach to conservation, local community support, promotion of heritage and sustainable development of the area.
The international geological significance of a UNESCO Global Geopark is determined by scientific professionals, who make a globally comparative assessment based on the peer-reviewed, published research conducted on geological sites within the area. UNESCO Global Geoparks use geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of that area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live on.
You tube video explaining what constitutes a geopark (30 minutes)
GGN Welcome Guide written to explain how to be a successful geopark for new entrants
Value of UNESCO Designation
UNESCO has surveyed all designated sites in the UK and estimated that having UNESCO label is worth £151,000,000 annually to the UK economy
International Geoscience and Geoparks programme (IGGP)
UNESCO is the only United Nations organization with a mandate to support research and capacity in Earth Sciences and the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme is our flagship.
Earth Sciences provide us with invaluable knowledge about our planet, its systems and its 4.6 billion year history. This knowledge is essential for responding to present-day challenges of human society, such as preserving our Earth’s resources for future generations, mitigating the impact of global warming and mitigating the risks of geological hazards
The International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) is implemented through two co-operative ventures with the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and the Global Geoparks Network. IGCP and UGGp Councils coordinate their work through a shared UNESCO Secretariat and joint coordination meetings of their respective bureau which convene as necessary.
