We have corporate policy positions on a range of geoscience topics. The science briefing papers allow BGS scientists to demonstrate and communicate their science in a succinct way to other experts, policymakers and the public.
Science briefing papers (downloads)
Underground hydrogen storage: insights and actions to support the energy transition
Underground hydrogen storage is a fundamental requirement of any net zero energy system but there are still considerable knowledge gaps in how and where such large-scale storage can be achieved. The briefing note provides key recommendations in order to close these knowledge gaps.
Deep Impact: unlocking the potential of geothermal energy for affordable, low-carbon heating in the UK
Deep geothermal energy exists in many parts of the UK. Where they coincide with towns and cities, geothermal resources can provide affordable and secure low-carbon heating to thousands of homes, offices and other buildings.
Metals and decarbonisation: a geological perspective
A summary of the current paradigm for global metal supply and demand, setting out some of the barriers and opportunities that this presents to the transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Who owns geothermal heat?
Geothermal heat is a natural resource that can benefit the nation at both national and local levels so it needs to be managed and regulated in a similar way to other natural resources such as oil, gas, coal and water. This requires a clear definition of the term ‘geothermal energy’ as well as a clear understanding of ‘who owns heat’ in the ground.
Reserve judgement: focus effort on decarbonisation not depletion
While it is true that the Earth is a finite system, there is no prospect of the physical exhaustion of minerals and metals in the foreseeable future. Questioning how much we have left in the Earth’s crust is a serious diversion from the immediate challenge of rapidly approaching environmental limits associated with current methods used in the extraction and refining of minerals and metals.
Science briefing notes
The subsurface: our hidden asset
The British Geological Survey (BGS), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is the UK’s primary provider of authoritative geological and geoscience data and information.
Land-use planning and housing
BGS provides independent and authoritative geoscience to a range of end users involved in land-use planning and housing development through collaborative research, open data, licensed data, web viewers and decision support tools.
Construction and infrastructure
BGS is the national custodian of geological data and works with industry and the UK Government to unlock the value of UK ground investigation data, worth an estimated £1.2 billion a year to the UK economy. Our data products and bespoke 3D geological services de-risk infrastructure development.
Energy transition
Our research on geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, energy storage and geological disposal supports the energy transition.
Water security
BGS research measures, monitors and maps groundwater. We examine its response to varying pressures and how it can be sustainably developed and managed, both in the UK and globally. Better understanding increases UK water supply security and contributes to increased global water security.
Resilience to geological hazards
Through long-term monitoring, we analyse risk by determining the potential impacts of multiple hazards on communities, critical infrastructure, the environment, and the economy. Our work strengthens societal resilience to Earth hazards in a changing climate.
Find out more about our work
Government and policy
As a world-leading geoscience organisation, we provide independent and authoritative advice to the UK government and the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
