The role of Earth Observation in monitoring and reporting SDG Indicator 6.6.1 Jason Jabour, UN Environment,

SDG Indicator 6.6.1 Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time Sub-indicators: Spatial Extent Quantity Quality* Freshwater Ecosystems: Open Water Bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers, estuaries) Vegetated Wetlands (swamps, swamp forests, marshes, paddies, peatlands and mangroves) Groundwater 2

The role of Earth Observations in measuring indicator 6.6.1 Benefits of EO data: high resolution captures lots of water bodies data collection cost low (Surmountable) challenges of EO data: Measurements of national wetland inventories possible but not yet available Some ecosystem types are difficult to delineate and rivers and small reservoirs may not be captured Flow data still required from ground measurements, as well as ground truthing of land cover maps Country ownership of data is critical – investment in training & capacity req’d 3

So what’s stopping us…. Global platform √ Country demand √ EO data available √ Global guidance on which EO products can be used for which purposes Capacity to use global products to create nationally relevant indicators Resources for ground truthing 4

So what’s stopping us…. GEO community to collaborate and coordinate data, including guidance on the use of different global products UN Environment to build country capacity to own and use geospatial data – including capacity building on turning geospatial data into statistics and indicators 5

Thank you www.unep.org Jason Jabbour, Science Division UN Environment, Washing DC Office Jason.Jabbour@unep.org . www.unep.org