The European Commission needs to expand its conservation policy to protect its seriously threatened geological heritage.

Legislation for nature conservation in the European Union has so far focused mainly on biodiversity and habitats (see, for example, V. Hermoso Nature 528, 193; 2015). But fossils, rocks, minerals and landforms also contribute to a country's geological landscape and heritage. Their features are a scientific asset that is shared by all countries, as well as an educational and cultural resource. They are also essential for supporting services to biodiversity. For example, geological sites in coastal cliffs and rocky outposts harbour and protect huge varieties of sea birds.

Neither of the two EU conservation directives that are currently under review (see go.nature.com/vkm9r7) includes the non-living elements of natural heritage, making it hard to encourage public respect for important geological features.