Abstract
UNESCO global geoparkUNESCO global geoparks dynamic initiative draws attention of both experts and public by its innovatively holistic approach to conservation, presentation and interpretation of the Earth heritage interrelating the geodiversity of the region with its biodiversity and cultural diversity. The objective of this contribution is to analyse the processes behind the sustainability management of the UNESCO global geoparks.The process analysis of the certification and revalidation schemes of the UNESCO global geoparks reveals a combined application of the interrelated approaches of the sustainability management, in particular the environmental quality management, knowledge management, strategic management and participative management. The environmental quality management, stimulating UNESCO global geoparks to implement their mission, is ensured through the system of initial certification and regular revalidations. The performance of the UNESCO global geoparks is coordinated on the continental and global levels. This networking facilitates an effective implementation of the knowledge management, which consists in the systematic sharing of knowledge and experience among individual geopark representatives. The participative management is implemented not only through the participation of the individual geoparks representatives in the decision making processes of the Global Geoparks Network and continental networks, but mainly through the participation of local actors in the activities of given UNESCO global geopark. The application of the strategic management ensures the long term balanced contribution of UNESCO global geoparks to the sustainable development and cultural identity of the given region. The analysis has shown a specific way in which the selected concepts of the sustainability management are implemented in the evaluation and revalidation procedures, networking and other pillars of the UNESCO global geoparks development.
Highlights
The increasing interest in and responsibility of ordinary people for the nature and landscape they live in has led to the rise of bottom-up environmental initiatives and to their support by national, transnational and international institutions
It has become progressively enriched into the form of sustainability management, a key feature of the development of global geoparks by UNESCO, which is reflected in their certification and revalidation schemes as well as in Global Geoparks Network (GGN) statutes [9, 10]
Pásková [30] defines the geopark as “one of the ways to protect and, at the same time, to use Earth's geological heritage in a rational and responsible way. She emphasizes that despite the fact that the emergence and development of geoparks is supported at national, continental and global levels, and its quality is controlled by UNESCO for global geoparks, it is a bottom up initiative initiated and coordinated by local actors
Summary
The increasing interest in and responsibility of ordinary people for the nature and landscape they live in has led to the rise of bottom-up environmental initiatives and to their support by national, transnational and international institutions This "paradigmatic" turn in nature protection has led to the emergence and dynamic development of the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGs) initiative. It is a holistic concept of protection [1], the presentation, interpretation and sustainable use of geoheritage and other natural and cultural heritage, based on the activity of local actors. It has become progressively enriched into the form of sustainability management, a key feature of the development of global geoparks by UNESCO, which is reflected in their certification and revalidation schemes as well as in Global Geoparks Network (GGN) statutes [9, 10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
