UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS AND UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, AGENDA 2030 KRISTIN RANGNES, D I R E C T O R G E A N O R V E G I C A U N E S C O G L O B A L G E O PA R K V I C E C O O R D I N AT O R E G N , T R E A S U R E R G G N , M E M B E R O F U G G p C O U N C I L
UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS: UNESCO Global Geoparks, within the IGGP, are the mechanism of international cooperation by which areas of geological heritage of international value, through a bottom-up approach to conserving that heritage, support each other to engage with local communities to promote awareness of that heritage and adopt a sustainable approach to the development of the area. 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. 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.
What is sustainable development? meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future genera ons to meet their own needs. calls for common eorts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and planet. three crucial core elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protec on – for well-being of individuals and socie es. Goal 1: No poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development: sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth crea ng greater opportuni es for all, reducing inequali es, raising basic standards of living, fostering equitable social development and inclusion, and promo ng integrated and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems.
Geoparks and SDGs
EGN Working group in geoparks and SDG’s Working along the SDG’s is a common task – responsibility for all!
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Lack of income and resources – hunger and malnutri on – but not restricted to these important issues. Also including: Limited access to educa on: geoparks educate socie es Essen al for reducing poverty is to reduce the vulnerability in socie es: Disaster risk reduc on, ac ve risk awareness and resilience training. EGN working group on geohazards: common ac vi es on Interna onal Day for Disaster Reduc on. Several geoparks train children and society on how to behave in case of earthquakes or other geohazards.
Goal 3: Healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 3d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in par3cular developing countries, for early warning , risk reduc3on and management of na3onal and global health risks
Good health and well-being: ďŹ gh ng diseases like HIV/Aids and polio, children and maternal mortality, medicine, good hygiene, clean drinking water.... But also including public health and ac ve lives, sustainable lifestyles Ac vi es in geoparks: Outdoor life: Trekking Water ac vi es Sport events Climbing Walking, guided tours Guided tours by (electric) bicycles Rokua Geopark Challenge. Photo: Rokua geopark
Goal 4: Inclusive and quality educa3on for all and promote lifelong learning Quality educa on: founda on to improving people’s lives and sustainable development. Geoparks are working in a life-long learning perspec ve and work towards both local communi es and visitors – at all ages Par cipa ng in the school curriculum, all levels. Web educa on – panels – leaflets and books – presenta ons - outdoor Developing different educa onal tools and share ideas with others Works interdisciplinary: natural sciences – culture – local history – intangible memories
Goal 5: Gender equality and empower all women and girls Empowerment of women through educa onal programmes – educa on for all! Women’s coopera ves. Such coopera ves can be about tradi onal handicra;s, home stays or other facili es for accommoda on, local food produc on. Helping keeping old handicra; tradi ons alive. Important for local economy, benefit socie es and humanity. Gender balance in geopark management
From Qeshm Island UGGp.
Goal 6: Access to water and sanita3on for all 6.6 Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
UNESCO:
Hydrology and hydrogeology: parts of earth science Clean water is important for health, for agriculture, for society Water: included in climate change issues and part of the environmental system Flooding is an important geohazard issue. Raising awareness – reducing disaster risk. Flood in Gea Norvegica Geopark Photo: Å. Naper
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all n 8.9: devise and implement poli3cs to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
One of the basic pillars in geoparks: Geotourism (sustainable tourism including the dissemina on of knowledge of earth science). Geotourism: enhances local economy – creates new job opportuni es. Tourism including local food produc on and access to local food in restaurants and shops or bought directly from producer, local cultural products, accommoda on. Geoparks are pla@orms for development and promo on of local cra; products. Development of signiďŹ cant geological heritage sites: new opportuni es for guiding and communica on. Guide training by geoparks, sustainable use of our heritage, new enterprises. GGN:Gold Partner in the UN Interna oal year of Sustainable Tourism for development
Goal 11: Make ci3es inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 11.4 strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
Focusing upon the local culture and tradi ons together with the natural heritage – holis c perspec ve Giving local people knowledge about their place, sense of pride and making them good ambassadors. The knowledge about coming from a place with a long history «back to Earth» Knowledge about why protec on is important – protec on through local knowledge Knowledge about sustainable use of resources
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consump3on and produc3on pa?erns 12.8: ensure that people everywhere have the relevant informa3on and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature 12.b Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
Awareness of sustainable use and protec on of our common resources as soils, species, landscapes – to live in harmony with nature. Observatories for responsible use Learning from old tradi ons – building techniques, agriculture, food produc on
Goal 13: Take urgent ac3on to combat climate change and its impacts 13.3: Improve educa3on, awareness-raising and human and ins3tu3onal capacity on climate change mi3ga3on, adap3on, impact reduc3on and early warning
Nature holds it’s own record of climate change: what can we learn from the past? Outdoor museums on the effect of past and current clima c changes Raising awareness through educa on Provide local communi es with knowledge about mi ga on and adap on to possible effects of climate change Focus on renewable energy sources Understanding of needs for achieving the “green shi;” – managing our common resources
Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat deser3fica3on, halt and reverse land degrada3on, halt biodiversity loss
Biodiversity: part of the holis c view of our Earth – water, life and rocks: cycle The connec ons between geological and biological ac ons Human impact and need of natural resources – management of natural sources Ac ons against deser fica on in some geoparks
Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive socie3es
Geoparks: ac ve interna onal networks with capacity building in areas with few or none geoparks as an important ac vity. Sharing of best prac ce and good ideas, inspire, support and assist. Transborder geoparks: Marble Arch Cave UGGp (Ireland/UK N. Ireland), Muskauer Faltenbogen/Luk Muzakowa UGGp(Germany/Poland), NovogradNograd UGGp(Hungary/Slovakia), Karawanken/Karavanke UGGp (Austria/Slovenia).
Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development 17.6: regional and interna3onal coopera3on on and access to science, technology and innova3on 17.9: enhance interna3onal support … capacity building in developing countries…. 17.16: enhance global partnerships for sustainable development
Successful sustainable development agenda requires partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society. Inclusive partnerships built upon principles and values, a shared vision, and shared goals that place people and the planet at the centre, are needed at the global, regional, na onal and local level.
UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS ARE ABOUT COOPERATION – WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES, WITH STAKEHOLDERS, PARTNERS, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, IN OUR GLOBAL NETWORKS,
Working together – across borders, sharing experiences and best prac ces, meet and get to know each other – all this is important to achieve peace and understanding – in the hearts of men and women – we are sharing the same planet and knowledge helps to understand and respect her long history and work for our common future!
IMPORTANT GOAL – FOR ALL! No country, state, organiza on, person can solve any of the issues and fulfil the goals alone! But we can all make a difference – together. GEOPARKS ARE ENGAGED AND WE CARE! Thank you for your aIen on!