Model region for sustainable development Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable­­­­ Development Germany Geoparks in Global UNESCO make this signi this make with the respective cultural and natural heritage. heritage. natural and cultural respective the with connection in heritage geological special the to reference with –always region the in change global challenges the address They of creation. value identifica UNESCO Global promote Geoparks development. con of education, concept aholistic through visitors for as well as 2 • Vulkaneifel • TERRA.vita • Harz • • Bergstraße-Odenwald six of them are inGermany: more in than 40countries, 160 UNESCOGlobalGeoparks There are currently over sig and ofsites landscapes international geoscientific geological are with areas Geoparks Global UNESCO by UNESCO. recognized be to sites of category third the now are Geoparks Reserves, Alongside the World and Sites the Biosphere Heritage Geoparks. Global UNESCO the existed: has sites UNESCO of category anew 2015 November Since ukur Faltenbogen Muskauer • ­ni Swabian Alb (German-Polish) Łuk Mużakowa Land ficance. The UNESCO Global Geoparks Geoparks Global UNESCO The ­ficance. · · Braunschweiger Ostfalen ­tion the region, with tourism and regional

ficance tangible for the population population the for tangible ­ficance

servation and sustainable ­servation

/

Vulkaneifel Saarbrücken Düsseldorf TERRA.vita Maintz Wiesbaden Stuttgart

Bremen Swabian Alb Odenwald Bergstraße- Hanover

Hamburg Land Harz Kiel

. . Braunschweiger Munich Ostfalen Schwerin Erford Magdeburgh Łuk Mużakowa Muskauer Faltenbogen Potsdam Berlin Dresden /

Model region for sustainable development Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark

Federal state: Baden-Württemberg Area: approx. 6,200 km2

3 Earth’s history Earth’s Global Geopark Geopark Global UNESCO Alb Swabian 4 namely, the “sea angels” angels” “sea namely, the are world-famous, finds Notably, some of fossil the features. archaeological and geological distinctive Global Geopark has many Jurassic The UNESCO era. 145 million years ago in the 201 andformed between rocks of Alb the were defining The Franconia. to Switzerland from extend that scarplands of Southwest the German The Swabian Alb is part Witness Witness

Swabian Alb”.Swabian inand the Ice Age Art “Caves Site Heritage and UNESCO the World Blaustein in dwellings pile prehistoric the Aalen, near Germanic Rhaetian Limes Upper the Geopark, the SitesHeritage located in World UNESCO three and the Biosphere Reserve UNESCO Alb Swabian oper Global Geopark also co- to The visitors. UNESCO Swabianthe Alb accessible museums and make caves show activities, Educational of caves in Germany. regional concentrations Alb has one of highest the Geo the which are symbol the of ammonites, and, maggots deriving from wood lime Nusplingen the from stone, the ichthyosaurs ichthyosaurs the ­stone, ­ates closely the with park. The Swabian Swabian The ­park.

Model region for sustainable development Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark UNESCO Global Geoparks – A quality label with high standards

Education

Regional Conservation value creation Geological of geological heritage for heritage sustainable development

International Facilitation partnership Dialogue Planning

UNESCO World Heritage and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves have been world-renowned designations for years and are well known among the general public and tourists. Geoparks, the third category of UNESCO sites, are on par with the established UNESCO designations. The granting of UNESCO status is accompanied by high expec­ta­- tions of a Geopark by UNESCO, but also residents and visitors.

UNESCO Global Geoparks aim to make important contri­butions to the goals of UNESCO and the United Nations: international understanding, peace and sustainable development. UNESCO Global Geoparks not only make their geological and regional heritage tangible, they also use it to nurture and facilitate sustainable development in the region.

To this end, the Geopark teams develop a holistic concept together with local actors – political decision-makers, the business community and environmental associations as well as all citizens. In this manner, they respond to the needs, oppor­- tu­­nities and challenges of their respective regions. 5 Geological highlights Groundwater of natural resources cooperation Sustainable tourism Sustainable Development Extraction anduse Education for Renewable energies Local andglobal Landscape asheritage 6 for global challenges Regional solutions that relate to a sustainable future. asustainable to relate that and enable a discussion comprehensive of questions interface an important form they level, international the to local the from networks into Integrated urgent­ topositioned tackle sustain well- are Geoparks Global UNESCO the regard, this geologi all (above natural of finiteness the as such challenges, societal global also but issues, regional address only not Geoparks Global UNESCO time same At the muse uni with work end, that to and research oriented problem- They support and processes. contexts and and visitors create awareness of the broader residents for region the of heritage the on light shed They skills. and knowledge imparts which work, for example, them, translate into their educational and issues these up take regions Geopark The the promotion of tourism. local sustainable or future, asustainable of design collective the as such relevance, local of matters address that strategies devise Geoparks Global UNESCO The

­ver ums and UNESCO associated schools. ­ums associated and UNESCO sities, non-university research institutes, research institutes, non-university ­sities, for globalsocietal challenges Solutions at regional level Geopark Global UNESCO UNESCO cal) resources and climate change. In change. climate and resources ­cal) Research Communication Facilitation Education

ability issues. issues. ability challenges societal for global Solutions Solutions

Model region for sustainable development Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark International model regions

The UNESCO Global Geoparks aim to become inter- ­­ nation­­ ­­ally exemplary and globally visible model regions for sustainable development that create real value – especially for the respective region and its inhabitants. UNESCO Global Geoparks are attractive regions for tourists, and job-seekers, and ideal locations for those who wish to live well.

Since April 2016, a National Committee, set up by the Federal Foreign Office has been supporting the UNESCO Global Geoparks in Germany. It advises the Geoparks on how they can fulfill the qualitative requirements of the UNESCO distinction. UNESCO and the National Committee have raised the bar steadily over time, thereby enabling continuous quality development.

A valuable addition to and support for the work of the National Committee comes from the cooperation between the German UNESCO Global Geoparks, which occurs on a national scale in the form of regular consultations within the “German UNESCO Global Geoparks Forum”. 7 8 Implementation inGermany Sustainable Development – 2030for AgendaThe programmes. Agenda Development for Sustainable in their basic 2030 the of key elements embedded also have parties political The Agenda. 2030 the for levels all go and local state federal, The example. one just is 2017 January in adopted strategy sustainability German new The Germany. in policies for principle guiding the is The 2030 Agenda Development for Sustainable continuously monitored. mea specific through term long the in generations future and eco coun his is Agenda 2030 The inequality. global reduce to all, promote climate and protection and peace, wide, make accessible education high-quality world hunger and poverty eradicate to aspiration The 17 an goals all-encompassing constitute Development. to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable adop community world the 2015, September In ­tori nomic, ecological and social interests of present of present interests and social ecological ­nomic, ­­t tries and­tries are intended to harmonise the ­ed Development the Sustainable Goals (SDGs) ­­cally unique; ambitious goals its apply to all ­v­­ sures, the success of which will be be will which of success the ­sures, ernments are developing policies at policies are developing ernments

­

Model region for sustainable development Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark 9 10 Global Geoparks framework forUNESCO 2030 Agenda –Reference been engaging with the 2030 Agenda since 2016. Agenda 2030 the with been engaging have Geoparks Global UNESCO German The levels. state and local at contributions important make always likewise Geoparks Global UNESCO the Agenda, 2030 the to contributions their With Agenda? 2030 the of goals specific to linked be can projects ongoing Which reveal? aGeopark can future the for options What term? long and short the in locally important be will key issues Which Geoparks. Global UNESCO the of conditions local the to Agenda 2030 the adapt to important therefore is It time. our of challenges great the managing in we succeed can answers and integrative policies cross-sectoral by creating Only conservation. nature to way the all tofrom business social development and education, – fields policy all and challenges global the all covers It framework. key reference the is Development changing The 2030 Agenda planet. for Sustainable of our rapidly challenges societal important most UNESCO Global promote Geoparks awareness of the

Model region for sustainable development Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark In November 2016, they formulated their strategy together with experts, the German Com­mission for UNESCO and the Federal Foreign Office.

Together they have identified a number of goals from the 2030 Agenda that are pivotal to the work of the UNESCO Global Geoparks in Germany. Almost all of them already play a role in the work of the UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Most important goals of the 2030 Agenda for UNESCO Global Geoparks in Germany

International partnership Knowledge transfer

Sustainable Water quality consumption Bodies of water Sustainable Groundwater lifestyles

Sustainable tourism Renewable Soil function Resource energies efficiency Agriculture Geothermal Nutrition energy Education for Sustainable Development

Health Sustainable Welfare Conservation and infrastructure sustainable use of ecosystems

Preservation Climate protection of heritage – Adaptation / Education Culture and nature on climate change Town / country

Effective administration of Geoparks Participation 11 12 UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb the from 2030 Agenda –Goodpractices in the UNESCO Global Geopark. Global UNESCO the in in both at Alb Swabian the of waters and rocks the of powers healing the experience can way, guests this In caves. the in air restorative clean, the in breathe can allergies and concerns respiratory with individuals where speleotherapy, offers Stollen” “Tiefer mine visitor The ic properties. therapeu and health-giving its for Beuren in Bath Thermal Panorama the in used is which Alb, Swabian the of subsoil the in circulates water Thermal wellbeing and 3Health SDG 2016. in inaugurated was school Geopark first The lessons. the in Geopark the of partners numerous involve to is aim The vein. this in profile educational their build and classes their in landscape cultural the and change climate history, Earth’s geology, of subjects the with engage that Geopark Global UNESCO the to schools attract to is project School” “Geopark the of aim The SDG 4 Education for Development Sustainable for UNESCO campaigns Joint geology. and water of topics the between connection the at look acloser provides and Geopark Global UNESCO the at point mation infor an is exhibition water. The –drinking life of com find can visitors at waterworks, the Langenau exhibition World” Adventure “Groundwater the In quality water and 6Groundwater SDG ­prehensive information about the basic element ’ planned. are Day Water s World

formation points points ­formation

­ ­t ­-

Model region for sustainable development Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark 2030 Agenda – Good practices from other German UNESCO Global Geoparks

Vulkaneifel UNESCO Global Geopark

In light of the extant connection between the maars of Huguanyan and the Vulkaneifel, it is only natural that the Vulkaneifel UNESCO Global Geopark and the Leiqiong UNESCO Global Geopark in the south of China exchange information. The partnership has existed for almost 20 years already and was re­newed in 2016.

TERRA.vita UNESCO Global Geopark

Climate protection through geothermal energy is the goal of the joint climate initiative of the district of Osnabrück, the district of Steinfurt and the city of Osnabrück. In cooperation with the TERRA.vita UNESCO Global Geopark, it encourages developers to use geothermal energy for their heating tech­ nology. Architects, planners and municipal represen-­ tatives are informed of the potential of this tech-­ no­logy in seminars.

Harz . Braunschweiger Land . Ostfalen UNESCO Global Geopark

Events and exhibitions by the UNESCO Gloal Geopark inform visitors about the current climate change in order to better understand it in light of historical geological changes. The cooperation with the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research ensures that the latest research results are taken into account.

13 14 Executive summary state politics. Development and to localand to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable and, at the same time, contribute the 2030 Agenda to localconditions The UNESCOGlobalGeoparks adapt and climate change. finiteness of geologicalresources help solve.Examples of this are the the UNESCOGlobalGeoparks can themselves with globalissues that development. In addition, they concern demographic changeandeconomic locally relevant issues suchas UNESCO GlobalGeoparks deal with answers. It calls for cross-sectoral, integrative serves as the reference framework. Agenda for Sustainable Development challenges of our time. The UN2030 aware­­ UNESCO GlobalGeoparks promote ness of the mostpressing global

Model region for sustainable development Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark Imprint

Published in 2020 Photo and picture credits

German Commission for UNESCO P. 1 Albtrauf aerial photo © Martin-Luther-Allee 42 Manfred Grohe, Tübingen district 53175 Bonn P. 2 © DUK – own illustration © German Commission for UNESCO 2020 P. 3 Digelfeld / NSG / grazing © Ustill, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE Further information P. 4 Steneosaurs from Urwelt Criteria and procedure: Museum Aalen © Ulrich Sauerborn www.unesco.de/geoparks P. 5 © DUK – own illustration Sustainable Development Goals: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org P. 6 © DUK – own illustration

German sustainability strategy: P. 7 Einhornhöhle © Gesellschaft www.bundesregierung.de Unicornu fossile

Contact P. 9 CC BY-SA 3.0, UN, edited by DUK UNESCO Global Geoparks Unit of the German Commission for UNESCO P. 10 Ankum © Natur- und Geopark Phone: +49 228 604 97 2-31 / -32 TERRA.vita [email protected] www.unesco.de/geoparks P. 11 / 12 / 13 CC BY-SA 3.0, UN, edited by DUK Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark Design Phone: +49 7394 248 70 [email protected] Panatom Corporate Communication www.geopark-alb.de Print Copyright Druckerei Brandt, Bonn The texts of this publication printed on environmentally friendly are licensed under the Creative recycling paper, with Blue Angel Commons license Attribution – certification Non-Commercial – ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0). funded by https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.de. The photos are excluded from this license.

15 www.unesco.de/geoparks