The global goals, or Agenda 2030 as they are called, were created to end poverty and hunger, achieve human rights for everyone, achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, and ensure a lasting and sustainable protection of the planet and its natural resources. Geoparks contribute to the realisation of these goals, and Platåbergens Geopark can contribute by implementing the global goals on a local and regional level. The global geopark network has worked out a strategy for how geoparks can work actively with the global goals.
For example:
• Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities (especially goal 11.4). The foundation for the geopark’s activities is to conserve, protect, and display natural and cultural heritages. UNESCO Global Geoparks help to make people proud of their local area and to strengthen the identity of an area.
• Goal 13: Climate action (especially goal 13.3). All UNESCO Global Geoparks contain scientifically important sites which show us how the earth’s climate has changed, and which are also evidence of the ongoing climate changes. Through education and dissemination of knowledge, geoparks help to raise awareness and increase the understanding for how we can counteract and adapt to the changes in the earth’s climate.
• Goal 16: Peaceful and inclusive societies. UNESCO Global Geoparks actively work to provide knowledge, both to the local population and to visitors. Geoparks function as outdoor classrooms and incubators for sustainable development, sustainable lifestyles, appreciation of cultural diversity, and promotion of peace.
• Goal 17: Implementation and global partnership (especially goals 17.6, 17.9, and 17.16). UNESCO Global Geoparks is all about partnership and collaboration, not just between local parties, but internationally through regional and global networks where knowledge, ideas, and experiences are shared.
