Hosted by the Australian Geoscience Council, the 34th IGC from August 5 to 10 will see the world’s leading geoscientists discuss societal and industry issues including climate change, geohazards, human health, mineral supplies and the future energy mix.

The program would fuel discussion around some of the most important issues facing our society, the 34th IGC president Dr Neil Williams said.

“We will put a spotlight on the role of geology in a range of issues and industries – the future of mining and energy, town planning in proximity to natural hazards, climate change and the digital revolution,” he said.

Renowned geologist and geophysicist Lord Ron Oxburgh will discuss the future of energy in a carbon-constrained world at the IGC.

As president of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, Lord Oxburgh is recognised for his work as a public advocate for the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and develop alternative energy sources.

Lord Oxburgh is former chief scientific adviser to the UK's Ministry of Defence and a former head of the Department of Earth Sciences at Cambridge University. He also served as chairman of Shell Transport and Trading Company until its merger with Royal Dutch Petroleum in 2005.

“As a thought leader in both the academic and business worlds, Lord Oxburgh will give a thought provoking presentation about the need to develop alternative energy sources, drawing upon his experience as Chairman of global oil giant Shell from 2004 to 2005,” Williams said.

Williams said another highlight of the program would be China’s Minister of Land and Resources, Xu Shaoshi, joining the debate at the first plenary session to present China’s perspective on future resource demand.

“China has a huge demand for resources, so we are all looking forward to hearing Minister Xu Shaoshi provide insight into the issues this presents from a government perspective,” he said.

“It will be interesting to see the implications this session has for the mining and resources industries.”