Abstract Changes in society coupled with more ambitious environmental goals increase the need to make the benefits of geological knowledge visible. The Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) is therefore evolving from its historical role as a ‘knowledge bank’ to become part of the integrated flow of public information. Three examples of the ongoing digital transformation, and how this will enable the SGU to contribute digital geological data for sustainable development, are: more automated data collection to monitor drinking water to be able to foresee water shortages; several new non-traditional marine projects, producing new information and recommendations for innovative measures to support Blue Growth, management and planning; an online virtual archive containing new data adding to our understanding of bedrock and mineral deposits, in turn leading to more efficient use of Sweden's mineral resources.