Geosciences are the bedrock of the European Union’s competitiveness, strategic autonomy, and security. As the EU implements the Competitiveness Compass and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), geosciences provide the essential foundation to secure resources, enable innovation, and strengthen resilience. Without robust geoscientific capacity, Europe risks greater dependence on external suppliers and the erosion of industrial and defence sovereignty.
The European Federation of Geologists (EFG), the International Raw Materials Observatory and EuroGeoSurveys therefore issue two key position papers:
The economic relevance of geosciences is profound: over €200 billion in direct annual contributions, underpinning sectors worth trillions — from raw materials to renewable energy, agriculture, circular economy, and climate adaptation. Geological expertise enables the identification, extraction, and recycling of strategic raw materials indispensable for clean technologies, digital infrastructure, and defence systems. It also underpins environmental protection and risk management, reducing billions in potential damages every year.
Europe’s reliance on external suppliers, coupled with workforce, permitting, and innovation gaps, undermines its ability to meet green, digital, and security ambitions. To reverse these vulnerabilities, Europe must embed geoscientific expertise across its competitiveness, industrial, and defence strategies. This requires:
• Establishing a sustainably funded Geological Service for Europe;
• Integrating geological knowledge into the European Defence Fund and considering a dedicated EU Geosciences for Defence Centre;
• Expanding education and mobility programmes while recognising professional standards such as the European Geologist (EurGeol) title;
• Accelerating permitting and investment frameworks for responsible projects;
• Strengthening international partnerships through geological diplomacy.
Geosciences are a strategic lever of sovereignty and prosperity. They provide the knowledge, innovation, and resilience required for Europe to thrive in an increasingly contested global landscape. Now is the time to act decisively: Europe’s competitiveness and security depend on it.
