5th IPGC: Global Geosciences Unite to Shape a Sustainable, Tech-Driven Future |  | The 5th International Professional Geology Conference (5th IPGC), jointly organised by the Spanish Official Association of Geologists (ICOG), the Portuguese Association of Geologists (APG), and the European Federation of Geologists (EFG), successfully concluded on 7 November 2025. Over three days, the event brought together more than 350 participants from across the world to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging challenges, and highlight the evolving role of geoscience in society. Hosted at the World Trade Center Zaragoza, Spain, the conference carried the theme “Building on the Past, Advancing towards the Future: Geology in the Era of Technology.” The programme showcased how geologists contribute to the responsible use of natural resources, the energy transition, climate change adaptation, and the development of resilient infrastructure. With global demand for geological expertise rising, the event placed special emphasis on skills development, professional mobility, and preparing the next generation of geoscientists with strong technical and ethical competencies. Stay tuned - the call for bids for the 6th IPGC will be launched soon! |
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87th EFG Council Meeting in Zaragoza |  | The 87th EFG Council Meeting was held in Zaragoza, Spain, on 7 and 8 November 2025, in connection with the 5th International Professional Geology Conference (5th IPGC). On 7 November, the Council Meeting took place as a public event at the 5th IPGC venue, open to all conference participants. During this first day, the EFG National Association members delivered presentations summarising their recent activities and upcoming plans. On 8 November, the internal part of the meeting was hosted by ICOG and held at the association’s Aragón regional branch. The EFG Board and Secretariat presented their ongoing work and plans for the coming months. We thank ICOG for hosting the meeting and all EFG National Associations for their active participation, both in person and online! |
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Dr Michiel van der Meulen honoured with EFG Medal of Merits |  | Dr. Michiel van der Meulen, a distinguished figure in geology and EFG Delegate for the Netherlands (Royal Geological and Mining Society of the Netherlands), received the 2025 EFG Medal of Merit. The award ceremony took place during the closing session of the 5th IPGC, where EFG President David Govoni presented the medal. The Medal of Merit recognises individuals who, in the view of the EFG Council, have made exceptional and distinguished contributions to the Federation or to the geological profession in Europe. Michiel is among the most outstanding geologists of the Netherlands, and actively involved with the European Federation of Geologists. As Chief Geologist of the Geological Survey of the Netherlands, he is committed to a wide range of topics such as geohazards, economic geology, and geological mapping. In addition, he is prominently involved in promoting our profession among all ranks of society. Congratulations on the award! |
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CRM-geothermal session at the European Parliament |  | EFG co-organised a high-level session at the European Parliament in Brussels on 20 November 2025, as part of the EU-funded CRM-geothermal project, which is pioneering sustainable methods to extract critical raw materials (CRMs) from geothermal fluids. The event was hosted by MEP Nicolás González Casares, who highlighted the opportunities offered by combined solutions such as CRM-geothermal, which can strengthen strategic autonomy while reducing energy costs for households. Panellists underscored the potential of combining geothermal energy production with critical raw materials extraction to strengthen Europe’s clean energy value chains, foster regional development, and contribute to the EU’s broader decarbonisation agenda, while creating tangible benefits for citizens. The key event outcomes and resulting CRM-geothermal policy recommendations have been summarised in a high-level report. |
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AGG: Spring 2026 Council meeting in Milos, Greece |  | The 88th EFG Council Meeting will take place from 13 to 17 May 2026 on the island of Milos, Greece, hosted by the Association of Greek Geologists (AGG). Milos is internationally recognised for its exceptional industrial mineral wealth and geological heritage. Hosting the Spring Council Meeting in this setting reflects the island’s long-standing importance to European geology and provides a meaningful backdrop for discussions on the future of the profession. The event will offer an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation and advance shared priorities across the global geoscience community.
The 2026 programme consists of two main components: - 13–15 May: Workshop and one-day conference on the theme “Industrial Minerals and their Contribution to European Development.”
- 16–17 May: EFG Council Meeting, bringing together national delegations to discuss strategic, professional, and operational matters.
Save the date. More details will follow! |
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|  | EFG participated in the 30th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP30) on Climate Change, held from 10 to 21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. EFG was represented by Global Ambassador Maureen Gallagher and President David Govoni. This marked EFG’s third appearance at the COP, reflecting our long-standing commitment to advancing geoscience within global climate governance. During COP30, the EFG delegation presented the EU-funded projects GENESIS and FIC-Fighters, showcasing practical examples of how geoscience drives climate resilience, sustainable resource management, and nature-based solutions. |
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EFG’s Recommendations for Europe’s Geothermal Strategy |  | Geothermal energy plays a crucial role in the Clean Industrial Deal, and geologists are essential for the characterisation and responsible exploitation of geothermal resources. Their scientific and technical expertise is vital for identifying and developing geothermal reservoirs in a safe, efficient and sustainable manner. EFG was honoured to participate in a roundtable discussion at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 26 November 2025, convened by Vice-President of the European Parliament Martin Hojsík (Renew Europe), MEP Davor Ivo Stier (EPP), MEP Nicolás González Casares (S&D), MEP Ondrej Krutílek (ECR) and MEP Jan Farský (EPP). Represented by Executive Director Anita Stein, EFG presented the Geothermal Manifesto that has been developed by the Panel of Experts on Geothermal Energy under the lead of Janos Szanyi. In December 2024, energy ministers adopted Council conclusions calling for a Geothermal Action Plan, with Commissioner Jørgensen confirming his support during both his hearing and the TTE Council. Now is the moment to translate these commitments into concrete action. EFG therefore calls on the European Commission to publish a dedicated Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan. To unlock the full potential of geothermal energy and strengthen the role of geologists, EFG proposes a series of additional measures in the Geothermal Manifesto. |
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Media partnership with GeoTHERM |  | EFG is pleased to announce a new partnership agreement with GeoTHERM 2026, Europe's largest geothermal trade fair and congress, taking place in Offenburg, Germany on 26 and 27 February 2026. This partnership strengthens EFG's engagement with the geothermal sector and supports our ongoing efforts to advance sustainable and resilient energy systems across Europe.
EFG will host a booth in the exhibition area to engage with the community, and External Relations Officer Arda Arcasoy will deliver a welcome speech during the conference opening. Furthermore, Janos Szanyi, Coordinator of the EFG Panel of Experts on Geothermal Energy, has been appointed to the event's scientific committee.
In addition, as part of this agreement, members of the EFG community are eligible for a 7 EUR discount on tickets purchased via the online shop. To benefit from the discount, please use the following code: GT26IPGC. (Note: This discount does not apply to student tickets). |
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| | FIC-Fighters introduces a new online platform designed to strengthen participation, knowledge exchange, and trans-regional cooperation on phosphogypsum (PG). The platform aims to make project findings accessible to a wide audience. Users can explore posts written for non-experts, offering clear explanations of key concepts, project activities, and lessons learned. | | |
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| | The CRM-geothermal Final Conference will take place on 25 February 2026, from 13:00 to 17:00 CET, in the EDEKA-Arena in Offenburg. The conference will showcase the main findings of the project, with presentations by consortium partners and invited experts. | | |
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Feedback to EU Circular Economy Act |
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EFG has recently contributed to the European Commission’s call for feedback on the upcoming Circular Economy Act. The Commission plans to propose this Act to strengthen the EU’s economic security and competitiveness while promoting sustainable production, circular business models, and decarbonisation. This feedback follows EFG’s co-organisation of the EU Green Week partner event “Urban Mining: Unlocking Secondary Resources for a Circular Economy,” held at the European Parliament on 4 June 2025 under the patronage of MEP Susana Solís Pérez. In its feedback submission to the European Commission, EFG emphasises that meeting the EU’s circularity and competitiveness goals requires enabling the identification, valorisation, and safe use of secondary raw materials. Geologists provide the scientific and technical foundation for this work: from subsurface screening and geodata collection to resource audits and the safe recovery of materials. Their expertise is indispensable for unlocking Europe’s urban deposits and for ensuring that recovery processes are robust, safe, and aligned with EU Green Deal and CRMA objectives. |
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| | The European Federation of Geologists (EFG) and the Société Géologique de France (SGF) are thrilled to invite you to the Conference ‘Learn Geoscience. Lead Change. Light the Way’ (LearnGeo) on 18-19 June 2026 in Pau, France. The event will open the doors of geoscience to everyone, showcasing how Earth sciences connect to our daily lives and the major challenges of our time.
WHEN: 18-19 June 2026
WHERE: Pau, France
THEME: Highlighting the role of geoscience communication and education in fostering an informed, resilient, and engaged society
HIGHLIGHTS: - Interactive Sessions: Outdoor excursions, hands-on experiments, and music concerts with a geological twist.
- Education: Workshops and ready-to-use resources for teachers to bring Earth sciences into the classroom.
- Professional Development: Best practices in science communication and community engagement.
- Networking: Exclusive “meet a geoscientist” moments and industry showcases.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Students, teachers, educators, geoscience professionals, industry partners, policymakers, and the general public interested in the future of our planet. |
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