Global Influencing
We engage in international meetings and diverse policy processes to build understanding of how geoscience can help tackle global challenges. We seek to be a recognised and trusted voice on geoscience and sustainable development.
Geoscience at the United Nations
We aim to provide a clear voice for geoscientists in United Nations processes, ensuring improved understanding and ready access to our science to support sustainable development. Some examples of our work include:
2025: Disaster risk reduction and early warnings, Geneva, June 2025. GfGD contributed to the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction through a joint statement calling for stronger support for geoscience institutions. We also joined the first multi-stakeholder forum for the Early Warnings for All initiative. Read about our contribution.
2024: GfGD submitted a written statement ahead of the UN High-Level Political Forum and joined the AGU-convened Global Policy Task Group, working with international geoscience organisations to strengthen representation in policy processes. Read our 2024 report.
2023: Ahead of COP28, GfGD and Cardiff University published recommendations for strengthening geoscience input into national climate pledges, helping make mitigation and adaptation plans more ambitious and technically feasible. Read our COP28 Call to Action.
2023: At the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda, GfGD published a statement calling for stronger geoscience contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Read our SDG Summit statement.
2023: At the UN Water Conference, GfGD shared research on barriers preventing NGOs from accessing geoscience data and expertise for sustainable water management in Eastern Africa. Read about our water conference contribution.
2022: GfGD gained special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and contributed to the consultation for the 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report. Read about the consultation.
2021: GfGD joined the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26, Glasgow), where we shared our research with international stakeholders and advocated the critical role of geoscience in achieving the Paris Agreement commitments. During this meeting GfGD was admitted as an Observer Organisation to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), giving Earth scientists a voice in the world’s most prominent climate change talks now and in the future. >> Find out more.
2019: Coordination of Side Event on ‘Earth and Environmental Science Education for Sustainable Development’ at the UN Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development, in partnership with the UN Major Groups on Science and Technology and Children and Youth.
2018: Participation in the UN Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development.
2018: Invited Contributor to the 2nd International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice Report.
2018: Submission of Evidence to the UN-commissioned Global Sustainable Development Report 2019.
2016: Partner Organisation at the UNISDR Conference on Science and Technology for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Image Credit: Kai Boggild (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)
International Geoscience Meetings
We are an active contributor to major geoscience events, promoting the relevance of geoscience to sustainable development and equipping geoscientists to make a positive contribution to tackling global development challenges. Examples of international meetings and workshops we have been involved in:
2025: CAG30, Nairobi, September 2025. GfGD participated in the 30th Colloquium of African Geology, contributing to discussions on geoscience capacity, research and international policy engagement, and strengthening relationships with African and international organisations. Read our CAG30 report.
2019: Partner Organisation, Geoscience and Society Summit, Stockholm, Sweden.
2019: Sponsor, 3rd International Conference on Critical Metals, Edinburgh, UK.
2018: Speaker, Resources for Future Generations, Vancouver, Canada.
2016: Workshop Facilitator (Sustainable Development Goals), European Geosciences Union, General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.
2016: Workshop Facilitator (Skills for Sustainability),International Geological Congress, Cape Town, South Africa.
2014: Workshop Facilitator (Skills for Sustainability), Colloquium of African Geology, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.