The BGS is a world-leading geological survey and environmental science organisation, delivering a programme of research internationally. We are focused on research to understand the Earth and its associated environmental processes and, by doing so, we contribute to creating a more secure and sustainable future.
As the national geological survey, we are the UK’s premier provider of objective and authoritative scientific data, information and knowledge to help society understand our Earth.
Environmental change and sustainability
We recognise that we are experiencing a period of unprecedented environmental change and societal expectation to respond to that change. Positive action is needed to address the environmental sustainability challenges, including climate change and loss of biodiversity, both of which are a result of human actions.
Our research, focusing on decarbonisation and resource management, environmental change adaptation and resilience, and multi-hazards and resilience, enables us to understand how our planet is changing and to contribute solutions and adaptive responses. We acknowledge, however, that the research we undertake and how we support it has its own impact on the environment. We must understand this impact and work toward reducing it to a minimum. This is the focus of our Environmental Sustainability Strategy.
BGS Environmental Sustainability Strategy
In this strategy, we endeavour to reduce our environmental impact whilst staying at the cutting edge of our research through 16 commitments (based on the BGS Estate, our working practices and our business travel). Our strategy follows our parent organisation’s (UKRI) vision to ‘embed sustainability in everything we do’ (UKRI Strategic Prospectus, 2018). We will embed it in all we do and continue to make a positive contribution by lowering our environmental impact and addressing current environmental challenges and global sustainability issues.
We will publish our environmental sustainability plans at six-monthly intervals.
Our Annual Progress Report 2022 is now available to download.
Relative topics
Download our environmental policy and progress reports
BGS Environmental Sustainability Strategy
Carbon reduction plan
Environmental Sustainability Report 2022/2023
Related news
UK bidding to host the International Geological Congress 2028
18/03/2024
BGS has partnered with the Geological Society of London and the Scottish Geology Trust to develop a bid to host the 38th International Geological Congress in Glasgow in 2028.
BGS to help deliver International Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Resource Management
27/02/2024
BGS has been announced as part of a consortium approved by the UN to deliver its International Centres of Excellence on Sustainable Resource Management.
How BGS is helping the farming sector of Great Britain
17/01/2024
New legislation concerning soil management and technology in modern farming has led to an increase in enquiries about BGS’s Soil Parent Material Model.
BGS to lead new research project on barrier systems to support more sustainable coastal management
06/12/2023
Scientists at BGS will lead a new four-year project that will enhance our understanding of gravel barrier systems across the coastlines of the UK.
BGS receives award at the World Landslide Forum 2023
30/11/2023
BGS’s landslide team has been designated a World Centre of Excellence on landslide risk reduction by the International Consortium on Landslides.
The optimisation of plutonium separation
07/11/2023
BGS research leads to advancements in the detection of plutonium and ultimately the determination of soil erosion rates in tropical soils.
Industry-leading data sharing partnership announced
02/11/2023
A data sharing partnership has been agreed between BGS and Ossian, allowing BGS to advance its knowledge of the rock and soil conditions under the seabed.
TerraFIRMA
TerraFIRMA is a five-year, NERC-funded, Multi-Centre National Capability (MCNC) UKRI award running from April 2022 to March 2027
Good practice for sand mining
24/10/2023
Tom Bide and Clive Mitchell outline how BGS is working on geoscience-led solutions for the global issue of sand mining.
New report assesses deep geothermal energy in the UK
17/07/2023
A new BGS report assesses the current situation around and future potential of deep geothermal energy in the UK.
Living in a world made of sand
17/07/2023
Tom Bide and Clive Mitchell outline the BGS Sand and Sustainability project, which is working on geoscience-led solutions for the global issue of sand mining.
NERC recognised by the Carbon Trust for its step towards net zero
07/06/2023
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has achieved the ‘taking action’ tier of the Carbon Trust’s Route to Net Zero Standard.