Scotland’s Geodiversity Charter
Scotland’s geodiversity is an integral and vital part of nature, our economy, cultural heritage and future sustainable development to be managed appropriately, and safeguarded, for this and future generations.
As part of nature, Scotland’s geodiversity is a national asset that provides essential geosystem services which have value to our economy, biodiversity, health and wellbeing as well as our cultural development. Charter signatories share a common vision that our geodiversity is actively considered, celebrated, safeguarded, and managed appropriately to the benefit of all.
The Charter was developed in 2012 by the then Scottish Geodiversity Forum in partnership with the British Geological Survey, NatureScot and other stakeholders with an interest in raising awareness and understanding of the role and value of Scotland’s Geodiversity. It was refreshed and relaunched in 2017.
Scotland’s Geodiversity Charter is supported by the Scottish Government and after a period of being in the care of NatureScot, is now hosted by the Scottish Geology Trust.
Signatories commit to maintain, promote and enhance geodiversity as an integral part of nature, recognising its contribution to:
- Scotland's remarkable geoheritage
- historical and cultural development, intellectual growth and creative expression
- sustainable economic development and essential benefits for society
- supporting biodiversity and addressing biodiversity loss
- helping us understand Earth's history and providing knowledge that will help society to mitigate and adapt to climate change and sea level rise
- public health, quality of life, national well-being and reconnecting people with nature
Read Scotland's Geodiversity Charter.
An invitation to get involved:
Everyone is invited to get involved and commit to celebrating the intrinsic value of our geodiversity, improve our understanding of the range of vital geosystem services it provides, and to promote wise management of these services. Those involved, and are signatories of the Charter, include:
- Individuals
- Communities
- Land managers
- Developers
- Local Authorities
- Public bodies
- Non-governmental organisations
Charter signatories demonstrate concern and responsibility for Scotland’s geodiversity. Signatory cooperative spirit is a practical expression of the value that we place in Scotland’s geodiversity.
Become a Signatory to Scotland’s Geodiversity Charter
By signing the Charter you join a community of interest that recognises the role and value of Scotland’s geodiversity and supports the promotion of geosystem goods and services. Signatories agree to champion the appropriate management and safeguard of Scotland’s geodiversity, for this and future generations, putting into practice the Charter’s suggested actions.
To sign the Charter, email [email protected] to tell us that you support the Charter’s vision and are committed to its actions.
Scotland's Geodiversity Charter 2025-2030
From the outset, the Charter was designed to be time-limited. This approach accommodates periodic refocussing of the Charter to address additional needs and fresh challenges.
There is growing recognition that our geodiversity has an important role in helping, among many other things, to deliver for biodiversity and help mitigate the effects of climate change. The updated Charter, for 2025-2030, therefore has a role in helping to address the nature and climate emergencies.
For further information and to get involved with the community of interest driving the Charter, or to become a signatory, visit the Scottish Geology Trust website.
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