In 2019, EO4SDG conducted a survey on EO uses for the SDGs by GEO Member countries, which helped identify 25 existing EO use cases and 20 forthcoming (planned) use cases.
A follow-up survey was conducted in 2020, tailored to GEO Members with identified or planned use cases.
This follow up survey requested detailed information, based on a standardized template, on existing EO use cases including the state of use (operational, verifying, or feasibility testing), the types of data and methodologies, and associated gaps and lessons learned. Detailed information on a total of 22 cases from 8 countries has been received, including 7 country EO use cases — from Sweden, Portugal, Germany, and the European Commission — consolidated by the UN-GGIM Data Integration Working Group. Germany compiled supporting information for SDG indicators 11.7.1 (average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use) and 15.4.2 (Mountain Green Cover Index).
These country EO use cases provide invaluable information. From these use cases, other countries can learn and replicate the process to produce SDG indicators and avoid duplication of extra efforts. EO4SDG has also started working more closely with regional GEOs (e.g., AmeriGEO and AOGEO) to collect additional country EO data uses. As a result, the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) of Colombia has provided four country use cases on indicators 9.1.1 (access to all season roads), 11.2.1 (access to public transport), 11.3.1 (land use efficiency), and 11.7.1 (access to open shared spaces). A collaboration with AOGEO to collect EO use cases in the Asia-Oceania region is also in the planning phases.