Part II of this Handbook provides a broad range of examples and articles from different institutions on the challenges and opportunities regarding the role of EO data in support of realisation of the SDGs and their Global Indicator Framework. Hopefully, NSOs with ambitions to monitor progress towards their Targets and report on Indicators, and Custodian Agencies – responsible for the development of methodologies for the Indicators and for supporting countries in their implementation – can find inspiration for further exploration around application of EO data to their task.
Before proceeding to Part II, interested readers may welcome some guidance as to identifying the necessary EO data and expert advice on its application for their required purpose. Part II provides more detail on some specific EO applications and individual contacts and links for further information can be found within the articles. Below are some more general contacts and resources for institutions and individuals with an interest in the use of EO data for the SDGs.
CEOS Team for the SDGs
CEOS has established an international team dedicated to progressing the role of EO in the SDG framework and dedicated to coordinating CEOS agency activities related to the SDG framework. This team is the natural interface and point of entry for users seeking to establish a better understanding of which satellite data they might acquire in support of their objectives, where such data is available, and how it is best processed and applied. The CEOS Team for the SDGs can also help stakeholders with access to on-line platforms, tools, and datasets.
CEOS represents all of the major, civil, EO satellite programmes worldwide and is the gateway to more than 30 national space agencies operating hundreds of different observing satellite missions. The CEOS Team for the SDGs can provide neutral and comprehensive advice as to the most suitable data and methodologies in support of different Goals and Indicators. The CEOS Team may be contacted at:
EO satellite data from CEOS Agencies is available on a wide range of terms depending on the data policies of the respective government. An increasing number of satellite missions have a free and open data policy (consistent with the Data Sharing Principles pioneered by GEO), sometimes requiring no more than a simple user registration for access to the relevant information system or portal. Of these, the largest data archives and global coverage missions can be found online at:
The CEOS Database of Missions, Instruments and Measurements has details of all CEOS agency satellites and links for further information and data download: database.eohandbook.com
CEOS works within the GEO framework – which includes data providers such as space agencies, governments, UN agencies including several SDG Custodian Agencies, and International Finance Institutions (such as World Bank) – to promote the necessary coordination and collaboration related to EO aspects of the SDGs. GEO has established a dedicated initiative and team for this purpose: EO4SDG. This team may be contacted at:
