is a multidisciplinary, scientific platform for widening the discussion and creating awareness about problems of Geoethics and Ethics applied to the Geosciences.
IAPG is legally recognized as a not-for-profit association, has 3275 members in 130 countries on 5 continents, and can count on a network of 37 national sections.
IAPG works to developing theoretical and practical activities covering a wide range of contents comprising: philosophy of geosciences and history of geosciences thinking; research integrity and professionalism in geosciences; working climate issues and related aspects; geoethics in georisks and disaster risk reduction; responsible georesources management; ethical and social aspects in geoeducation and geoscience communication; geoethics applied to different geoscience fields including economic geology, paleontology, forensic geology and medical geology; ethical and societal relevance of geoheritage and geodiversity; sociological aspects in geosciences and geosciences-society-policy interface; geosciences for sustainable and responsible development; geoethical implications in global and local changes of socio-ecological systems; ethics in geoengineering; ethical issues in climate change and ocean science studies; ethical implications in geosciences data life cycle and big data; ethical and social matters in the international geoscience cooperation.
What is Geoethics?
Geoethics consists of research and reflection on the values which underpin appropriate behaviours and practices, wherever human activities interact with the Earth system. Geoethics deals with the ethical, social and cultural implications of geoscience education, research and practice, and with the social role and responsibility of geoscientists in conducting their activities.....
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Busan, Republic of Korea, 28 August 2024
Vienna, Austria, 16 April 2024
EGU 2015: IAPG informal meeting
Busan, Republic of Korea, 28 August 2024
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Affiliations and Agreements
IAPG promotes geoethics through the international collaboration with Associations and Institutions. IAPG has:
7 affiliations, 31 agreements for cooperation, 5 partnerships.
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News
30 April-2 May 2025
Vienna (Austria) and online
Geoethics at the EGU 2025
The IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics, the Commission on Geoethics of the IUGS - International Union of Geological Sciences and the Chair on Geoethics of the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences welcome you at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2025 in Vienna (Austria), that attracts thousand of geoscientists from all over the world every year. From 2013, the IAPG organizes and supports events on geoethics at the EGU General Assembly.
This year, the IAPG co-sponsors the following session and short course:
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EOS4.3: Geoethics and Global Anthropogenic Change: Geoscience for Policy, Action and Education in Addressing the Climate and Ecological Crises (Conveners: Silvia Peppoloni, David Crookall, Elodie Duyck, Giuseppe Di Capua, Paolo Colombo, Svitlana Krakovska, Agata Sangianantoni)
Programme: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU25/session/52035
- Orals: 2 May 2025, 08:30–12:30 (CEST), 14:00–15:45 (CEST), Room -2.93
- Posters on site: 2 May 2025, 14:00–18:00, Hall X4
- Posters virtual: 30 April 2025, 14:00–18:00, vPoster spot 1
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SC1.7: Geoethical values, principles and behaviours: A participatory workshop (Conveners: David Crookall, Giuseppe Di Capua, Berill Blair, Pimnutcha Promduangsri)
Programme: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU25/session/53313
1 May 2025, 10:45–13:45 (CEST), Room 0.55
Descriptions of the session and short course:
Geoethics Medal 2024 awarded to Anne (Wagaba) Poelina (Australia)
"Professor Anne Poelina is one of Australia’s most respected Indigenous leaders. Over the past 30 years, she has employed a powerful combination of public engagements, peer-reviewed academic papers, podcasts, community meetings, poetry, storytelling and filmmaking to share the lived experiences of Indigenous people and expand appreciation of the value of Indigenous knowledge for the challenges facing our world. She has instigated and managed many cultural development projects in remote Aboriginal communities to preserve and promote Indigenous culture and country, including restoring traditional languages and developing Indigenous dictionaries. Her collaborative, cooperative ethos has resulted in her initiating various ‘two-way science’ projects combining the best non-Indigenous and Indigenous knowledge to restore and preserve ecosystems and people’s well-being. As an Indigenous leader, Poelina regularly contributes to national and global Think Tanks and was a signatory to the 2010 Redstone Statement which she helped draft at the First International Summit on Indigenous Environmental Philosophy. She consistently secures academic grants and community investments in support of whole-of-system sustainability projects. As lead researcher at the Nulungu Institute, she oversees all research activities, guides and supports data gathering and analysis, and oversees all project reporting. At the international advocacy level, her appearances and many collaborative publications have contributed to expanding networks and global thinking about the value of Indigenous knowledge in meeting the challenges of our time. Her Heal Country, Health Climate advocacy is building investment and partnerships for entrepreneurial ‘new economy’ opportunities for Indigenous people with green collar jobs in science, culture, heritage and conservation economies."
Read more about Prof. Anne (Wagaba) Poelina
Geoethics in the Apheleia 2025 Conference Series
Giuseppe Di Capua (INGV Senior Technologist, IAPG Secretary General, IUGS Commission on Geoethics Governing Board Member) gave a talk titled "Geoethics and the polycrisis: Navigating humanity’s role in shaping a responsible future" in the Apheleia 2025 Conference Series, on 13 February 2025.
The video is available on the IAPG YouTube channel:
The video is also available on the YouTube Channel of Apheleia Project:
The project Apheleia hosts a bi-weekly series of on-line conferences open to its members and outside participants with an interest in novel approaches to landscape transformative cultural processes, from technology to symbols, arts or governance.The project “Apheleia – Cultural Integrated Landscape Management” is based on a strategic partnership led by universities, with research centres, local authorities, enterprises and NGOs. It was endorsed by the International Council for the Philosphy and Human sciences (CIPSH) and the International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU), also having established a collaboration with UNESCO’s programme MOST (Management of Social Transformations) from 2016.
Apheleia website and Apheleia 2025 conference series program:
https://apheleiaproject.org/
2-6 February 2026
Ōtautahi Christchurch (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Session on Geoethics in
New Zealand
The Call for Abstracts is open!
11th IAG International Conference on Geomorphology
Session "Geoethics and Geomorphology"
Conveners: Matthew Hughes (University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand), Silvia Peppoloni (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy), Giuseppe Di Capua (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy).
Session description:
Geoethics consists of research and reflection on the values which underpin appropriate behaviours and practices, wherever human activities interact with the Earth system; geoethics also provides a framework for integrating the physical and social sciences and addressing societal issues including those with often-competing values over natural resources, development and landscapes. Geomorphologists work to address many of the environmental challenges of our time, challenges with significant societal implications, and geomorphological systems present abundant opportunities to explore convergences between pure and applied science, the practices of scientists, and how scientific understandings inform society. This session invites contributions that specifically address geoethical concepts and issues within geomorphology.
Information about the abstract submission is available at: https://www.confer.co.nz/icg2026/call-for-abstracts/
The deadline for abstract submission is: 31 May 2025
Conference website: https://www.confer.co.nz/icg2026/
This session is co-sponsored by:
IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics
IUGS Commission on Geoethics
CIPSH Chair on Geoethics
JGSG published other five articles and the preface of the Special Issue "25 Years of Advancing Geoethics and Social Geosciences at INGV"
The new articles can be cited as follows:
The new Executive Council of the IAPG
The new Executive Council (EC) of the International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG) is in charge from 1 November 2024.
The EC is now formed by:
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President: Silvia Peppoloni (Italy)
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Vice-President: Peter T. Bobrowsky (Canada)
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Vice-President: Elizabeth I. Rovere (Argentina)
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Secretary General and Treasurer: Giuseppe Di Capua (Italy)
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Continental Coordinator for North America: Vincent S. Cronin (USA)
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Continental Coordinator for South America: Marita Ahumada (Argentina)
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Continental Coordinator for Europe: Vitor Correia (Portugal)
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Continental Coordinator for Africa: Ezzoura Errami (Morocco)
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Continental Coordinator for Asia: Surya Parkash (India)
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Continental Coordinator for Oceania: Matthew Hughes (New Zealand)
Bio-sketches of each EC member are available here: https://www.geoethics.org/executive-council
We wish to thank the previous members of the Executive Council. We greatly appreciate their efforts in helping the IAPG expand and strengthen its network over the years.
16-18 September 2025
Timisoara (Romania)
International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG) - Regional Conference on Geomorphology
IAPG is partner of this event.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS (new deadline: 23 February 2025)
Session TS22. GEOETHICS IN GEOMORPHOLOGY
(jointly organized by IAPG – International Association for Promoting Geoethics and IAG - International Association of Geomorphologists)
Chairpersons: Elizabeth Rovere (DraElizabethRovere@gmail.com), Andrea Coronato (andrea.coronato@gmail.com)
Session description:
Geomorphology, as a discipline focused on the study of landscape processes and formation, has a direct impact on both the environment and human societies, and this was not always addressed from an ethical perspective, leading to sustainability and social justice challenges. This session aims to bring together all those interested in exploring the intersection of geomorphology and geoethics, discussing how scientific and technical decisions in the study of geographic landscapes should be informed by ethical principles that consider both environmental and social impacts. Furthermore, the session seeks to raise awareness about the ethical responsibility in geomorphological research and its application in decision-making that affects ecosystems and communities.
Download the call and additional information (pdf file)
Further information on the session and the submission of abstracts on the Conference website:
https://rcg2025.geomorphology.ro/programme/thematic-sessions/
Podcast: Navigating Geoethics – Balancing Science and Responsibility in Geosciences - An interview to Giuseppe Di Capua
The Society of Exploration Geophysicists released the podcast of the interview to Giuseppe Di Capua (IAPG Secretary General and Treasurer).
From the SEG website:
“Geoethics encourages us to think beyond just technical solutions and consider the long-term social and environmental impacts. It’s about embracing humility and seeing problems through multiple lenses to find sustainable solutions.”
In this episode, Andrew Geary interviews Giuseppe Di Capua, a founding member, Secretary General and Treasurer of the International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG). They discuss the connection between ethics and geoscience, highlighting the importance of ethical awareness for responsible scientific practices. Giuseppe shares insights on how geoethics can guide geoscientists to balance technical work with social and environmental responsibilities, aiming to foster sustainable interactions with our planet.
Listen for a thought-provoking conversation on why geoethics is vital to responsible geoscience and how it can guide our efforts toward a more sustainable world.
Key Points and Takeaways
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The Role of Geoethics: Geoethics combines scientific knowledge with ethical responsibility, encouraging geoscientists to consider their work’s societal and environmental impact.
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Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Younger geoscientists face balancing economic development with the need for environmental conservation, underscoring a shift towards sustainable geoscience practices.
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IAPG’s Mission: The International Association for Promoting Geoethics seeks to foster ethical awareness and inclusivity among geoscientists globally, especially in low-income countries, by promoting cooperative values like honesty, integrity, and transparency.
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Educational Shift: Giuseppe advocates for integrating geoethics into academic training for geoscientists, emphasizing the importance of ethical, social, and cultural awareness in their professional roles.
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Call to Action: Giuseppe challenges listeners to embrace geoethics in their work and daily lives, inspiring them to contribute to a sustainable future by recognizing the intricate connections between human actions and the Earth’s systems.
6-10 February 2025
Lima (Peru)
MinerLima in summer 2025
This is the summer edition 2025 of the International Minerals and Rocks Exhibition in Lima (Peru), organized by IAPG-Peru.
MinerLima is an event to disseminate the Peruvian mineralogical heritage, through an exhibition of minerals and rocks, and other related initiatives.
The event will take place in Miraflores, Lima, Peru, at the headquarters of the Peruvian Geological Society (SGP).
Visit the Facebook page of MinerLima:
JGSG published other three articles of the Special Issue "25 Years of Advancing Geoethics and Social Geosciences at INGV"
The new articles can be cited as follows:
JGSG published three articles in the issue 1(1), 2025
The new articles can be cited as follows:
JGSG published another article of the Special Issue "25 Years of Advancing Geoethics and Social Geosciences at INGV"
The Journal of Geoethics and Social Geoscience published another, open access, article of the Special Issue "25 Years of Advancing Geoethics and Social Geosciences at INGV" on 10 January 2025.
The article can be cited as follows:
IUGS Commission on Geoethics:
Task Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Geosciences
The IUGS Commission on Geoethics has established a new Task Group to address issues related to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in geosciences. Its primary objective is to draft a White Paper offering insights and suggestions for the geoscience community.
This new Task Group is formed by four members (picture above, from the left): Paul Cleverley (Chair, United Kingdom), Mrinalini Kochupillai (Germany/India), Mark Lindsay (Australia), Emma Ruttkamp-Bloem (South Africa). Giuseppe Di Capua is the contact person of the IUGS-CG Governing Board.
Book on geoethics published by Elsevier
Silvia Peppoloni and Giuseppe Di Capua, eds. (2024). Geoethics for the Future: Facing Global Challenges. Elsevier, XXXI+401 pp., ISBN 978-0443156540. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2022-0-00487-6
This book offers a set of points of view on highly topical issues in geosciences and beyond, including societal relevance of geosciences, georesources, sustainable development, geoeducation, georisks, data, as well as philosophical, legal, political, scientific considerations about anthropogenic global changes and the Anthropocene, enabling readers to acquire multifaceted knowledge on topics of global relevance in the 21st Century. This book explores topics vital to our historical moment and the future of human societies, through the analyzes by scholars with different disciplinary backgrounds, emphasizing the need for new cultural and scientific frameworks to address global issues. It aims to foster multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches for problem-solving, by integrating diverse knowledge and visions to effectively tackle urgent global challenges.
Serving as a significant milestone in geoethics, this book provides academics, researchers and students with insights into the ethical and societal dimensions of various challenges arising from human impact on the Earth system.
Welcome to IAPG-Colombia
We are pleased to announce the establishment of IAPG-Colombia. This is our 37th national section. This section will be chaired by Prof. Clemencia Gomez (photo on the side). She is a geologist, holding a Ph.D. in Paleontology with a specialization in Quaternary palynology, and further qualifications in Business Administration and Oil Mining Law. She made history as the first female president of the Colombian Society of Geology, serving from 2017 to 2019, and later as President of the Colombian Association of Geology from 2021 to 2022. Throughout her career, she has held significant roles in both public and private companies, notably as the coordinator of the Geology Group at the National Hydrocarbons Agency. With over 25 years of experience as a university professor at various educational institutions, she currently serves as a full-time associate professor at the National University of Colombia. Her dedication to education and geoscience was recognized in 2021 when she received the Inspirational Geoscience Educator Award from the American Association of Petroleum Geologist (AAPG) Foundation. In 2022, she was honored with the Humberto Gallego Gamboa Order as an illustrious graduate of the Universidad de Caldas. As a testament to her commitment to public service, she was awarded the prestigious Public Service Award by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) in 2024. Her outstanding contributions to the field of geology and education continue to inspire future generations and drive positive change in the industry.
Welcome to IAPG-New Zealand
We are pleased to announce the establishment of IAPG-New Zealand. This is our 36th national section and it is also recognized as the Geoethics Special Interest Group within the Geoscience Society of New Zealand (GSNZ). This section will be chaired by Dr. Matthew Hughes (photo on the side). He is geoscientist based in the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. His research interests cover economic geology, landscape evolution, and the interplay between communities and natural and engineered systems. He conducts multidisciplinary research investigating how communities are impacted by and in turn influence the development of infrastructure, impacts of hazards on infrastructure and communities, and how long-term climate and landscape evolution processes will impact cultural heritage, settlements and infrastructure into the Anthropocene.
GSNZ Geoethics Special Interest Group (IAPG-New Zealand)
Members of the just-established Geoethics Special Interest Group within the Geoscience Society of New Zealand have a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, but all share interest in research and reflection on values underpinning behaviours and practices wherever human activities interact with the Earth system. This is especially pertinent in geological resource use, post-disaster response, geoheritage issues, and engaging with communities including Indigenous peoples. The Geoethics Special Interest Group exists to build a community of practice within research and teaching, to explore and promote Geoethical principles.
Website of the GSNZ Geoethics Special Interest Group (IAPG-New Zealand)
JGSG published other two articles of the Special Issue "25 Years of Advancing Geoethics and Social Geosciences at INGV"
The new articles can be cited as follows:
JGSG published the first article of the Special Issue "25 Years of Advancing Geoethics and Social Geosciences at INGV"
The Journal of Geoethics and Social Geoscience published the first, open access, article of the Special Issue "25 Years of Advancing Geoethics and Social Geosciences at INGV" on 16 December 2024.
The article can be cited as follows:
JGSG published its ninth article!
The Journal of Geoethics and Social Geoscience published its seventh, open access, article on 13 December 2024.
The article can be cited as follows:
Article on artificial intelligence (AI) in geosciences published by Geoscientist
Advancing transparent and ethical AI
Paul Cleverley, Silvia Peppoloni, Chuck Bailey and Simon Thompson discuss ongoing concerns around geoscience AI and the need for transparency
Read here:
https://geoscientist.online/sections/viewpoint/advancing-transparent-and-ethical-ai/
AGU Ethical Framework for Climate Intervention
From AGU website:
Climate change requires urgent action. Increasingly, the world is considering dramatic climate intervention approaches—often called geoengineering. Many of these approaches are untested and the consequences are not well understood. In 2022, AGU launched its plan to develop an Ethical Framework for Climate Intervention Research, Experimentation and Deployment—a code of conduct to guide climate intervention measures that may be needed in addition to emissions reduction.
Book on geoethics published by Springer
Peppoloni S. and Di Capua G. (2022). Geoethics: Manifesto for an Ethics of Responsibility Towards the Earth. Springer, Cham, XII+123 pp., ISBN 978-3030980436. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98044-3
This book outlines the current development of geoethical thinking, proposing to the general public reflections and categories useful for understanding the ethical, cultural, and societal dimensions of anthropogenic global changes.
Geoethics identifies and orients responsible behaviors and actions in the management of natural processes, redefining the human interaction with the Earth system based on a critical, scientifically grounded, and pragmatic approach. Solid scientific knowledge and a philosophical reference framework are crucial to face the current ecological disruption. The scientific perspective must be structured to help different human contexts while respecting social and cultural diversity. It is impossible to respond to global problems with disconnected local actions, which cannot be proposed as standard and effective operational models. Geoethics tries to overcome this fragmentation, presenting Earth sciences as the foundation of responsible human action toward the planet. Geoethics is conceived as a rational and multidisciplinary language that can bind and concretely support the international community, engaged in resolving global environmental imbalances and complex challenges, which have no national, cultural, or religious boundaries that require shared governance. Geoethics is proposed as a new reading key to rethinking the Earth as a system of complex relationships, in which the human being is an integral part of natural interactions.
IAPG endorses the eLearning Course "Practical Geocommunication"
Dear IAPG member,
IAPG has recently endorsed the eLearning course ‘Practical Geocommunication’ offered by Geologize Ltd. Geologize teaches geoscientists to bring the public to a great understanding and appreciation of our planet through effective and powerful communication.
To find out more about the course, please check out the following video:
https://youtu.be/jQDZxDZnUC8
As a member of an endorsing association, you now have a 70% discount on the usual course price.
Your unique access code is: iapg-pggz
Here’s how to start your learning experience!
1) Head over to https://training.geologize.org/courses/geocomms
2) Click on 'BUY'
3) Register (Free)
4) Click on the link ‘Have a coupon?’
5) Enter the code above. This applies the 70% discount.
6) Pay the remaining value.
7) Start learning!
The number of times this coupon can be used is limited to the current membership of the IAPG, so I kindly request that it not be shared with those outside the IAPG.
Learners follow the course at their own pace and you will have lessons, quizzes, assignments and the opportunity to interact directly with myself, Dr Haydon Mort. A certificate is provided at the end of the course, with the seals of the IAPG, The Geological Society of London and the European Federation of Geologists, who also endorse the course.
All the best,
Haydon Mort
---------------------------------------------------
Dr. Haydon Mort
CEO-Director Geologize Ltd
Geologist, Science Communicator
Article: Water resources management for a sustainable nexus of hydrogeoethics and societal well-being.
It can be cited as follows:
Abrunhosa M., Chambel A., Peppoloni S., Ferraz de Matos P., Aragão A., Petitta M. & Chaminé H.I. (2024). Water resources management for a sustainable nexus of hydrogeoethics and societal well-being. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 10:97, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-024-01085-4.
Article: Geoethics: The Missing Piece in the Separation of Responsibility Between Volcanologists and Decision-Makers.
It can be cited as follows:
Peppoloni S., Woo G., Martí J., and Di Capua G. (2023). Geoethics: The Missing Piece in the Separation of Responsibility Between Volcanologists and Decision-Makers. In Malheiro A., Fernandes F., Chaminé H.I. (Eds.), Advances in Natural Hazards and Volcanic Risks: Shaping a Sustainable Future. NATHAZ 2022. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham, 19-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25042-2_4.
Article: Geoethics to Face Natural Risks by Improving Societal Resilience.
It can be cited as follows:
Peppoloni S. (2023). Geoethics to Face Natural Risks by Improving Societal Resilience. In Malheiro A., Fernandes F., Chaminé H.I. (Eds.), Advances in Natural Hazards and Volcanic Risks: Shaping a Sustainable Future. NATHAZ 2022. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham, 3-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25042-2_1.
Article: Geotourism and geoethics as support for rural development in the Knjaževac municipality, Serbia.
It can be cited as follows:
Marjanović M., Radivojević A.R., Antić A., Peppoloni S., Di Capua G., Lazarević J., Marković R.S., Tomić N., Milićević A.L., Langović Z., Mišić I. and Marković S.B. (2022).
Geotourism and geoethics as support for rural development in the Knjaževac municipality, Serbia.
Open Geosciences, 14(1), 794-812. https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0388
Book: Teaching Geoethics
This e-Book was a deliverable of the Erasmus+ project GOAL "Geoethics Outcomes and Awareness Learning". It can be downloaded for free and cited as follows:
Vasconcelos Clara, Schneider-Voß Susanne, and Peppoloni Silvia (Eds.)
Teaching Geoethics
Resources for higher education
2020, U.Porto Edições, 207 pp., https://doi.org/10.24840/978-989-746-254-2
Cape Town Statement on Geoethics
It sums up all the values, concepts, contents developed by IAPG, giving a perspective for the future development of geoethics. Supported by 22 geoscience organizations and available in 35 languages
Geoethical Promise
A Hippocratic-like oath for geoscientists, originally proposed at the 34th IGC-International Geological Congress in Brisbane (Australia). Translated in 35 languages
Journal of Geoethics and Social Geosciences
Articles on the ethical, social and cultural implications of geosciences, and on study and research aimed at accompanying safe and sustainable development policies for human communities, transdisciplinary food for thoughts and proposals aimed at addressing global anthropogenic changes
SpringerBriefs
in Geoethics
It envisions a series of short publications that aim to discuss ethical, social, and cultural implications of geosciences knowledge, education, research, practice and communication.
A Wider Perspective on Chemistry and Sustainability
(by Enrico Cameron, Italy)
"In May 2024, the journal Chemical Science, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, issued the open-access paper titled “An anthropocene-framed transdisciplinary dialog at the chemistry-energy nexus."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
Resources to give facts a fighting chance against misinformation
(by Bärbel Winkler, Germany)
"At a guess, readers of this blog published by the International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG) will - just like me - find spreading mis- and disinformation a rather unethical activity. But, it unfortunately happens and we all need to take that into account and be prepared for it. None of us is immune - even with the best intentions - to accidentally spreading misinformation. It therefore helps to be aware of at least some tell-tale signs in order to prevent liking or even sharing what later turns out to be misinformation. In this blog post, I'll introduce some resources to give facts a fighting chance against misinformation."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
Is ethics solely pertinent to the fields of mining and geosciences?
(by Marita Ahumada, Argentina)
"Over the past decade, mining operations in Argentina and numerous other countries have endured widespread discredit and stigma. Misinformation campaigns, incomplete data dissemination, and the propagation of post-truth narratives have obstructed the acknowledgment of the scientifically grounded and ethically responsible practices employed in modern mining ... Social and environmental accountability is a collective imperative that relies on the active involvement of all stakeholders."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
Ethical Considerations for Responsible Geological Fieldwork and Sampling
(by Enrico Cameron, Italy)
"Geological fieldwork and sampling play a crucial role in broadening our comprehension of the Earth’s complexities. Geoscientists should conduct these activities ethically, with respect for both the natural world and the communities they engage with. This responsibility becomes even more crucial when working on Indigenous lands, where acknowledging the historical context and upholding cultural values are paramount"
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
The Indigenous Groundwater Declaration of the Australian Chapter of the IAH
(by Enrico Cameron, Italy)
"In November 2022 the Australian Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) has put forward the Indigenous Groundwater Declaration to foster the respect and inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in groundwater activities, deliberations, decisions, and policies."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
The era of crises: facing the choices to build the future
(by Silvia Peppoloni, Italy)
"For about fifteen years I have been dedicated to the development and promotion of geoethics around the world. When I speak of geoethics, I refer to an ethics of responsibility of the human being towards the Earth system; a geosophy, a "knowledge" of the functioning of the Earth, which in the human being translates into Aristotelian phronesis, a wisdom capable of directing choices, a wisdom of living the Earth, which presupposes the awareness of the human position and condition in the great natural architecture. ..."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
Teaching Geoethics
Books on Geoethics
White Papers
Research Integrity
In evidence
Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
("This Recommendation addresses ethical issues related to the domain of Artificial Intelligence to the extent that they are within UNESCO’s mandate. It approaches AI ethics as a systematic normative reflection, based on a holistic, comprehensive, multicultural and evolving framework of interdependent values, principles and actions that can guide societies in dealing responsibly with the known and unknown impacts of AI technologies on human beings, societies and the environment and ecosystems, and offers them a basis to accept or reject AI technologies. It considers ethics as a dynamic basis for the normative evaluation and guidance of AI technologies, referring to human dignity, well-being and the prevention of harm as a compass and as rooted in the ethics of science and technology")
UNESCO 2022
2023 State of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector
(The 2023 State of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector is a collaboration between the World Bank’s Extractives Global Programmatic Support Multi-Donor Trust Fund (EGPS) and Pact)
World Bank 2023
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
(Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)])
February, 2022
Biodiversity and Climate Change
Scientific Outcome of the IPBES-IPCC co-sponsored workshop
June 2021
In the Section 4.2 "Human and Social Dimensions" (page 49) you can read the following sentences, that include also the definition of geoethics by IAPG:
"Ethical behaviour with respect to nature (“geoethics”) is at the core of several discussions regarding adaptation. The values which underpin appropriate behaviours and practices wherever human activities interact with the Earth system play an important role in the awareness of society regarding problems with biodiversity and NCP. Ethical, social, and cultural implications of both scientific knowledge and humankind’s role as an active geological force on the planet and the ethical responsibility that this implies need to be addressed in every plan of action (Bobrowsky et al., 2017). This includes equity issues linked to biodiversity related interventions. These are often not distributionally neutral and have equity implications both within and between generations."
The paper on geoethics cited in the document is:
Bobrowsky, P., Cronin, V. S., Di Capua, G., Kieffer, S. W., & Peppoloni, S. (2017). The emerging field of geoethics. Sci. Integr. Ethics Geosci, 73, 175.
This paper can be read here:
Lisbon Declaration on Humanities, Open Research and Innovation
Result of the European Humanities Conference 2021
Lisbon, 7 May 2021
This document is supported by the IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics
Guidelines for geoconservation in protected and conserved areas
(by Crofts R., Gordon J.E., Brilha J., Gray M., Gunn J., Larwood J., Santucci V.L., Tormey D., and Worboys G.L.)
Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series No. 31. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. ISBN 978-2-8317-2079-1, doi:10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.PAG.31.en.
IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 2020
Global Research Report
Research Integrity: Understanding our shared responsibility for a sustainable scholarly ecosystem
(by Szomszor M. and Quaderi N., Institute for Scientific Information)
October 2020
Promoting Gender Diversity and Inclusion in the Oil, Gas and Mining Extractive Industries
A Women’s Human Rights Report
(by R. Park, B. Metzger, and L. Foreman)
The Advocates for Human Rights, January 2019
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
On 25 September 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.
Latest (click on the picture):
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IAPG and IUSS signed a MoU
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IAPG Best wishes for the holiday season and the new year
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Survey on The Culture and Ethics of Geologic Sampling
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Yuriy Kostyuchenko passed away on 16 March 2023
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Minigeology interviewed Peter Bobrowsky on geoethics
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IAPG endorses the Jena Declaration
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IAPG is partner of the Earth Future Festival (EFF)