Executive Summary
The EuroGeoSurveys ten-year Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) 2025-2034 sets out a forward-looking framework for the sustainable use and management of Europe’s geological resources. Our SRIA sets targeted goals, priorities, and actions to support the energy transition while building European competitiveness. It focusses on geoscientific data, information, and knowledge of the subsurface to address European and global challenges, including climate change, energy security, and resource sustainability. Centred on research, innovation, and collaboration, our SRIA serves as the scientific foundation for our vision of a Geological Service for Europe – a permanent, sustainable and data-driven service that will provide critical geoscientific insights for European policymakers, industry, and citizens. EuroGeoSurveys is a not-for-profit association representing 37 national and regional geological survey organisations, and over 10,000 European geoscientists. Fostering collaboration, EuroGeoSurveys enables harmonisation of geological data at European level, and an expert network resource for managing Europe’s subsurface. This collective e!ort supports the EU’s overarching strategic goals, including the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our SRIA identifies research and innovation goals critical to support Europe’s policy objectives and drive sustainable, data-driven approaches to manage subsurface resources, environments, and hazards.
Understanding the Subsurface – Geological Data: Detailed onshore and offshore geological data, maps, and models are essential for informed decision-making across sectors, supporting landuse planning, resource management, and environmental protection.
A Sustainable European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI): Geoscientific digital infrastructure and Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable data, delivered through EGDI, will provide policymakers, researchers, and industry with critical subsurface and o!shore data, promoting transparency and informed decision-making.
Energy Transition & Decarbonisation: The subsurface is key to the energy transition: through geothermal energy deployment, and subsurface storage of carbon dioxide and hydrogen, supporting the EU’s climate neutrality goals and implementation of the Net-Zero Industry Act.
Responsible Raw Materials: Addressing Europe’s critical raw materials (CRM) dependencies, domestic production and sustainable raw materials management requires new exploration and mining models, methods, and technology, supporting implementation of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act3, promoting circular economy, and reducing environmental impact.
Sustainable Management of Groundwater in a Climate Change Context: Improved understanding of groundwater dynamics, monitoring, sustainable management practices, and new technologies will secure long-term water availability for multiple uses.
Managing Geohazards & Environmental Risks: Geohazard monitoring technologies and data- driven strategies will contribute to risk mitigation for landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, subsidence, and floods. Standardised soil sampling, assessment, and monitoring will improve soil health.
To boost the impact of its strategic goals, EuroGeoSurveys’ SRIA follows a holistic approach, targeting integrated subsurface management and inclusive stakeholder engagement. By aligning with European policy, and targeting delivery through a sustainable Geological Service for Europe, our SRIA will enhance Europe’s environmental, social, and economic resilience4 in the face of global challenges.