1. Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
Ad Hoc Team on Sustainable Development Goals (AHT SDG) Way forward on SDGs for CEOS
Alex Held, CSIRO, Co-lead & SIT Vice Chair
Marc Paganini, ESA, Co-lead
Flora Kerblat, CSIRO, Executive Secretary
with the support of Argyro Kavvada (NASA, GEO EO4SDG)
CEOS Plenary 2018
Agenda Item 6.5
Brussels, Belgium
17-18 October 2018

2. AHT-SDG History
AHT SDG History
CEOS 30 Plenary, Oct 2016: creation of the Ad Hoc Team on SDGs (AHT SDG) for a year
CEOS 31 Plenary, Oct 2017: renewal for another year
CEOS 32 Plenary, Oct 2018: future of the AHT SDG to be decided. (5 AHT evolution options provided by AHT SDG at CEOS SIT-33)
AHT SDG Organisation
2 current co-leads : CSIRO (A. Held), ESA (M. Paganini) + Executive secretariat from CSIRO (F. Kerblat)
Need to find a new 3rd co-lead.
Today ~40 members (mailing list), including associate members (e.g. UN OOSA)
AHT SDG meetings since 31st CEOS Plenary:
Side-meeting in Rapid City, CEOS 31st Plenary, Oct 2017
Regular co-leads or team conference call meetings as well as AHT SDG – GEO EO4SDG bilateral’s
Side-meetings at SIT-33, Boulder, 23 April 2018 and at SIT TW 2018, Darmstadt, 12 Sept 2018
Participation to key SDG meetings with CEOS presence: GEO XIV Plenary (Oct 2017, DC); 5th HLF UN GGIM (Nov 2017, Mexico); UNSC-49 (Mar 2018, NYC); GPSDD Data for Development Festival (Mar 2018, Bristol), HLPF 2018 (Jul 2018, NYC); 8th session UN GGIM (Aug 2018, NYC); WDF (Oct 2018, Dubai); GEO XV Plenary (Oct 2018, Kyoto)
focus its activities around the unique role that CEOS should play as a coordination body of the Space community efforts to support the integration of satellite EO in support to the full realisation of the SDGs.
take stock of the UN processes in place for the SDG implementation and of the existing SDG stakeholders (including GEO),

3. CEOS Work Plan ( )
3.9 Support to Other Key Stakeholder Initiatives
I. Promote the use of satellite data in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
: The Ad Hoc Team will continue to:
Support GEO in its SDG-related initiatives, mainly through the EO4SDG (“Earth Observation for Sustainable Development Goals” initiative).
Collect and centralize information from individual CEOS Agency work programmes relevant to SDGs: building on a Compendium database.
Promote space-based EO data as a key source of data for use by national statistical offices.
Identify areas where SDG indicator development work has the potential to result in broader applicability (e.g. supporting the SDG / target, and sustainable development policies).
Develop activities – including capacity building - with external stakeholders (GEO, NGOs, UN entities, development banks).
Develop communications material (brochure, website content) with SEO team’s support.
Support GEO in its SDG-related initiatives, mainly through the EO4SDG (“Earth Observation for Sustainable Development Goals” initiative): capacity building, training and communications materials, country engagement, forum to share best practices on EO data and SDG, and EO4SDG website content.
Collect and centralize information from individual CEOS Agency work programmes relevant to SDGs: building on a Compendium database, with regular updates sent within CEOS contacts to collect more accurate information.
Promote space-based EO data as a key source of data for use by national statistic offices (NSOs) to monitor and report on specific SDG indicators, and encourage CEOS space agencies to proactively contact their national governments in the Voluntary National Review process.
Identify areas where SDG indicator development work has the potential to result in broader applicability (e.g. supporting the SDG / target, and sustainable development policies).
Develop activities – including capacity building - with external stakeholders (GEO, NGOs, UN entities, development banks) to join the efforts in the space world to help monitor and achieve the SDGs.
Develop communications material (brochure, website content) with SEO team’s support to better inform CEOS space agencies and external stakeholders about the critical role of EO space data in the SDG process.

4. Examples of 2018 tangible outputs
CEOS Earth Observation Handbook on SDGs:
Officially released in March 2018, at the 49th Session of the UN Statistical Commission 6-9 March 2018 (NYC) at a side-event of the “Statistical- Geospatial Integration Forum” (integrating statistical, geospatial, and other Big Data to leave no one behind).
Hard copies widely distributed to CEOS members and in SDG events.
Vey well received by the SDG community. High visibility for CEOS.
GEO/CEOS at UN High Level Political Forum 2018 on SD:
Theme: “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”.
Australia organised a special side-event on the use of Earth observations and SDGs at the UN Headquarters, followed by two hands-on workshops (Financing and Priority)) at the Permanent Mission of Australia
UN-OOSA Exhibit ‘Space for Sustainable Development’ with CEOS Agencies’ input.
GEO/CEOS special issues in scientific journals
RSE Special Issue on “'Earth Observation for the Sustainable Development Goals” (UNSW, CSIRO, NASA, GEO)
RS Special Issue on "EO Solutions to Support Countries Implementing the SDGs” (ITC, ESA, NASA, SANSA)
Australia (DEA and Open Data Cube)
Canada
Greece
Namibia
Switzerland
Viet Nam

5. “The integration of statistics, geospatial information, Earth observations, and other sources of Big Data, combined with new emerging technologies, analytics and processes, are becoming a fundamental requirement for countries to measure and monitor local to global sustainable development policies and programs”
UN-GGIM co-chairs

6. UN Statistical Division
GEO Initiative on SDGs (EO4SDG)
CEOS Ad-hoc team on SDGs (AHT SDGs)
Mention of value of EO data in SDG guidance and processes: IAEG-SDGs Working Group on Geospatial Information
UN Habitat
UNCCD
UNEP
WBG
GPSDD
UN Statistical Division
WG on Geo-spatial Information (WGGI)
UN Specialized Agencies
National Statistical Offices
Line Ministries
SDG Stakeholders
UN ISDR
WHO
FAO
ADB
Radiant Earth
Created by IAEG-SDGs in April 2016.
ToR: Provide expertise and advice to the IAEG-SDGs and the larger statistical community as to how geospatial information and EO can reliably and consistently contribute to the indicators.
Chairs: NSOs of Sweden and Mexico.
25 Members including NASA, JAXA and ESA (representing GEO EO4SDG and CEOS AHT SDG)
WGGI Task Stream 2 on “Application of satellite Earth Observation Data for the SDG indicators” co-chaired by Sweden and Colombia wit the support of NASA, ESA and JAXA.
3 tasks: Provide guidance to IAEG-SDGs and Statistical Community on EO; Document EO national experiences and good practices; Enable uptake of analysis-ready and production-ready satellite EO.
More information:
“Task Stream #2 will leverage partnerships with space agencies … to allow NSOs to uptake analysis or production ready satellite EO time series … with feasibility studies, pilot projects, guidance on methodology and training”
IAEG-SDG WGGI, Work Plan

7. UN Statistical Division
GEO Initiative on SDGs (EO4SDG)
CEOS Ad-hoc team on SDGs (AHT SDGs)
Mention of value of EO data in SDG guidance and processes: UNCCD on SDG 15.3 (land degradation neutrality)
UN Habitat
UNCCD
UNEP
WBG
GPSDD
UN Statistical Division
WG on Geo-spatial Information (WGGI)
UN Specialized Agencies
National Statistical Offices
Line Ministries
SDG Stakeholders
UN ISDR
WHO
FAO
ADB
Radiant Earth
Custodian Agency: UNCCD
Indicators “Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area”
CSIRO contracted by UNCCD to produce the Good Practice Guidance on SDG Indicator
ESA and EC/JRC supported UNCCD LDN Target Setting Program (LDN-TSP) with global datasets on land cover/land cover changes and land productivity dynamics (120+ countries)
GEF funded project with CI/NASA on “Enabling the use of global data sources to assess and monitor land degradation at multiple scales”
New GEO Initiative on LDN (with CSIRO, ESA, NASA, EC/JRC and SANSA) to assist countries and regions to build national capacities for monitoring and reporting on land degradation.
LDN sub-team created under AHT SDG to lead the EO science of the GEO LDN Initiative. Lead by CSIRO and ESA with support from SANSA, INPE and NASA.
“For each of the sub-indicators, countries can access a wide range of data sources, including Earth observation and geospatial information, while at the same time ensuring national ownership”
UNCCD, SDG Indicator Metadata

8. UN Statistical Division
GEO Initiative on SDGs (EO4SDG)
CEOS Ad-hoc team on SDGs (AHT SDGs)
Mention of value of EO data in SDG guidance and processes:
UN Environment on SDG 6.6 (water related ecosystems)
UN Habitat
UNCCD
UNEP
WBG
GPSDD
UN Statistical Division
WG on Geo-spatial Information (WGGI)
UN Specialized Agencies
National Statistical Offices
Line Ministries
SDG Stakeholders
UN ISDR
WHO
FAO
ADB
Radiant Earth
Custodian Agency: UN Environment
Indicators “Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time”
NASA, EC/JRC and ESA contributed to the revised monitoring methodology with explicit reference to EO on spatial extent of open waters / vegetated wetlands and WQ of lakes and artificial water bodies
UNEP/NASA/JRC/ESA joint events
at UN GGIM High Level Forum, Mexico city, Nov 2017 ("Sharing experiences on indicator on freshwater related ecosystems, and exploring opportunities for better monitoring”)
At WDF 2018, Dubai, Oct 2018 (“Opportunities for EO: Connecting water, land and people”
Country consultation workshop convened by UNEP, NASA, EC/JRC and ESA on ”Using EO for monitoring SDG progress in regard to SDG 6 indicator on water-related ecosystems”, Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, Italy on 7-9 Nov 2018
method now approved as conceptually clear, internationally accepted for use by countries to monitor this indicator
“… a progressive methodology is proposed which promotes country-derived data collection to be complemented by other globally available datasets such as earth observations..”
UN Environment, SDG Indicator Monitoring methodology for SDG Indicator 6.6.1

9. Development of SDG-related Products from Open Data Cube (ODC)
Vegetation change, agricultural production
Flood inundation mapping, farm dam development
Wetland management and characterisation
Seagrass and substrate mapping
Coastal change and water quality
Shallow water bathymetry
Mining footprint and urban development
Bushfire scar mapping and forestry inventory
Etc.
All these applications have been tested and prototyped.
Routine delivery of these services requires an operational capability though.
Using BoM analogy: “ we have shown we can produce the daily weather report, flood warnings, cyclone forecasts etc…but we need an operational capability to routinely deliver this every day, rain, hail or shine”
Moving from successful prototype to Whole of Government capability will take operational investment ($10m-15m/year)

10. GEO/CEOS alignment of activities
Lead
Interactions with the Statistical Community (IAEG-SDGs, UNSD, UN GGIM and NSOs)
GEO (EO4SDG)
Interactions with UN specialized agencies (custodian of SDG indicators)
GEO community
EO mainstreaming into country processes and systems (NSOs and line ministries)
Develop EO good practices and national show cases of EO for SDG indicators & targets
CEOS focus: Develop/Provide satellite-based good practices
GEO (with CEOS support)
EO Promotion and Outreach in the SDG community
Develop the EO4SDG Portal into a SDG Knowledge Hub including:
Activities
Lead
Capacity building
CEOS focus: advanced satellite-based methodologies for SDG indicators
GEO (with CEOS support)
Satellite Data value for the SDG targets and indicators
Analysis of satellite contribution to SDGs (compendium/fact sheets and policy brief)
CEOS
EO enabling infrastructures for SDGs (EO platforms, data cubes and toolboxes)
CEOS Data Cube deployment for SDG indicators but not o be prescriptive.
Satellite Analysis Ready Data (ARD) for the SDGs
Including analysis of long term satellite data continuity for SDG indicators.
validation / standardization / certification of EO products for SDGs
GEO community means GEO thematic initiatives and GEO EO4SDG.
Develop the EO4SDG Portal into a SDG Knowledge Hub including:
Good practice country examples on uses of EO for SDG indicators and targets
Existing EO integrated SDG indicator methodologies & information on UN Custodian Agencies processes
GEO Flagships/ Initiatives/ CAs SDG examples achieved independent of (or with guidance from) EO4SDG

11. Improve collaboration with CEOS bodies WGs, VCs and AHTs
There are synergies with activities undertaken under VCs (LSI), AHTs (GFOI, GEOGLAM), WGs (WGCV, WGCapD, WGISS) and SEO that must be better exploited by the AHT SDG.
The AHT will initiate a CEOS-level assessment/mapping of
which VCs/WGs/AHTs are/could address each of the relevant SDG target/indicator.
which VCs/WGs/AHTs are/could address SDG cross-cutting activities. (data access, data cubes tailoring for SDGs, on-line platforms for SDGs)
and assess the sustainability of their efforts.
Similar approach to GEO EO4SDG engaging with GEO thematic initiatives (e.g. GEOGLAM, Aquawatch, Blue Planet, GEO Wetlands, Human Planet Initiative)
Examples of AHT collaboration with WGs/VCs/AHTs:
EO enabling infrastructures: SEO on Open data Cube (already happening)
Capacity Building: WGCapD (already happening)
Data: WGISS work on data discovery and access (SDG Client Portal)
SDG 2: GEOGLAM AHT collaboration on (sustainable agriculture)

12. From Plenary to Plenary Roadmap (initiation of CEOS activities)
Conduct a CEOS-level assessment on the contribution of VCs/WGs/AHTs to the SDGs
Capacity Building
(with WGCapD) Webinars to raise SDG awareness to CEOS and EO community; on-line trainings on advanced satellite-based solutions for SDG indicators (i.e., 6.6.1, ).
Satellite Data value for the SDG targets and indicators
Compendium (with factsheets) and policy briefs on the contribution of satellite observations to the SDG targets and indicators
(with GEOGLAM AHT) Develop an EO-based workflow (as good practice guidance) for SDG Indicator (sustainable agriculture)
EO enabling Infrastructures
(with SEO) Development of SDG-related products from the Open Data Cube (ODC).
(with WGISS) Set up of a Data discovery and access Portal for SDG-related datasets.
Scale-up EO use for SDG indicators where EO is well integrated in SDG methodologies
Satellite Analysis Ready Data for the SDGs
Contribute to the WGGI Task Stream on application of satellite data for the SDG indicators.
(with LSI-VC) Analyse long-term continuity of satellite data for all relevant SDG indicators
Validation/ standardization of EO products for SDGs
(with WGCV) Develop guidance on level of confidence and validation protocols for using EO in SDG indicator implementation
Develop a proposal (with new ToR, structure and execution plan) for post-2019 CEOS engagement on SDGs

13. The AHT SDG co-leads invite CEOS Principals to:
For CEOS 32 Plenary Decision (Agenda item 6.9)
CEOS 31st Plenary, Rapid City, 2017
“In 2018, the AHT team will develop recommendations for CEOS Principals on its way forward on SDGs for CEOS”
The AHT SDG co-leads invite CEOS Principals to:
Acknowledge the achievements of the AHT SDG in 2018 and the recognition of CEOS and its Agencies as key partners on SDGs by the UN system.
Welcome the GEO/CEOS alignment of activities with respective roles and responsibilities and the efforts of the AHT to involve CEOS structures when appropriate.
Embrace the decision taken by the AHT to prioritize its activities along the unique role that CEOS should play as a coordination body of the Space community efforts.
Ensure a favorable framework by encouraging CEOS Agencies to actively contribute to the work of the AHT, improving its workforces and achieving the necessary critical mass.
Encourage the implementation of a Roadmap from Plenary to Plenary, to develop the necessary structure, membership and implementation plan to justify a permanent structure within CEOS.
Renew the AHT SDG for one year with the objective of generating consensus around the creation of a permanent CEOS working group on SDGs. (to be decided at CEOS Plenary 33, October 2019). 13

14. Thanks for your attention
We look forward to working closely with you next year!
AHT SDG leads:
Marc Paganini (ESA, co-lead of the AHT SDG)
Alex Held (CSIRO, SIT vice-chair & co-lead of the AHT SDG)
Flora Kerblat (CSIRO, AHT SDG Executive Secretary)
Argyro Kavvada (NASA, GEO EO4SDG Executive Secretary)

15. AHT SDG
Background and Context

16. In the complex and evolving SDG environment, the AHT SDG shall:
CEOS AHT SDG: Terms of Reference (ToR)
In the complex and evolving SDG environment, the AHT SDG shall:
take stock of the UN processes in place for the SDG implementation and of the existing SDG stakeholders (including GEO),
focus its activities around the unique role that CEOS should play as a coordination body of the Space community efforts to support the integration of satellite EO in support to the full realisation of the SDGs.
The AHT SDG can’t progress alone but shall rely on existing networks/partnerships:
AHT SDG aligns its engagement in the context of (Programme Board, Engagement Strategy, GEO EO4SDG initiative)
AHT SDG builds on established relationships CEOS Agencies have with the UN agencies, individual countries (national statistics & line ministries), and other SDG stakeholders (including development banks & aid agencies).

17. CEOS AHT SDG – ToRs (summary):
CEOS AHT SDG: Terms of Reference (ToR)
The AHT SDG shall assess, showcase and promote EO contribution to SDG Targets and Indicators
CEOS AHT SDG – ToRs (summary):
Coordinate the efforts of CEOS agencies and channel CEOS support to the SDG process (EO showcases, promotion material, etc.) through GEO
Provide a forum for sharing/communicating EO best practices in support to the SDGs (in collaboration with GEO).
Analyse opportunities for better uptake of satellite-based EO in support to SDGs Targets and Indicators, in part via enhanced engagement of CEOS agencies within the GEO initiatives and flagships.
Engage with relevant authoritative SDG stakeholders inside (e.g., IAEG- SDGs & WGGI, UNSD, UN GGIM, Custodian agencies) and outside the UN system (e.g., GPSDD, IISD, WBG, Foundations).
Use CEOS assets and bodies (WGCapD, AHT FDA, SEO, etc.) to build and strengthen EO capacities at all levels of the SDGs implementation.

18. Objective/Deliverable Background Information
CEOS Work Plan ( ) Status of AHT activities
Objective/Deliverable
Completion Date
Background Information
Responsible CEOS Entity
SDG-2: Compile and maintain a compendium of CEOS Agencies engagement on SDGs
Q3 2018
Compendium compilation ongoing but still largely incomplete.
Compendium planned to be presented at CEOS 32 Plenary
CEOS agencies to designate PoC and to list their activities on SDGs (in particular on national collaborations)
AHT SDG
SDG-3: Review and assess the contribution of EO to the SDG Targets and Indicators. Produce a compendium and policy brief.
Ongoing, output of ESA EO4SDGs project (KO in April 2018)
in-depth assessment of the EO contribution to the SDG targets and indicators with 2 outputs: Compendium + Policy brief.
First draft completed – 2 levels of EO contribution - Fact sheets
external review by EO4SDG & AHT SDG in October.
=> 1st version to under CEOS AHT /GEO EO4SDG review)
SDG-4: CEOS engagement plan on SDGs
Ongoing - CEOS Engagement priorities currently being defined
Engagement priorities to be finalised and presented at CEOS Plenary (with proposal on future of AHT SDG)
Depends on CEOS/GEO alignment of activities and prioritization of AHT tasks
CB-19: Collaborate with SDG-AHT to identify SDG-related training and capacity building opportunities related to space-based EO and meeting the challenges of the 2030 Agenda
Q4 2018
WGCapD will work closely with the AHT SDGs (in support to GEO to promote EO in SDGs monitoring and reporting), identify, plan, and ultimately implement SDG-related training and capacity building activities
Awareness webinar to CEOS and associated community
Start with 2 mature indicators (water) and (Urban)
AHT member as a liaison with WGCapD
WGCapD

19. Actions from CEOS SIT 33
(33-02) The SDG AHT will explore a CEOS expression of interest for participation in the GEO Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) activity.
(33-11) Lifecycle plans for the AHTs
SIT-33-02
SDG AHT
Explore a CEOS expression of interest for participation in the GEO Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) activity and provide language to the LDN Initiative Team Leads that can be included in the Initiative proposal expressing CEOS Agency interest and support. 
assist the UNCCD with the provision and deployment of EO datasets, country support, capacity building, and EO tools and platforms so that countries can effectively monitor and report on SDG indicator
LDN sub-team created under AHT SDG
CEOS leads the EO science of the GEO LDN Initiative
Lead by CSIRO (Neil Sims) and ESA (Marc Paganini) with support from SANSA, INPE and NASA.
ToR of the GEO LDN Initiative currently defined.
Rationale:
CEOS has been asked to commit to the GEO LDN activity.
SIT recognized that LDN is the first time a UN institution reached out to GEO for assistance on the SDGs.
SIT 33-11
SIT Chair
Include CEOS Ad hoc Team lifecycle and processes as an agenda item on 2018 SIT Technical Workshop. 
5 options for SDH AHT evolution proposed at SIT-33
Pros and cons of each options discussed
Preferred solution: a solid or “permanent” structure dedicated to the SDGs
SIT Chair has proposed that CEOS address inconsistencies in the operation of different types of groups across the structure.

20. AHT SDG Implementation Plan Key activities
Compile a compendium of CEOS Agencies’ engagement on SDGs
Define a coherent CEOS engagement plan on SDGs
Coordinate CEOS support to GEO-led SDG activities
Review and assess the contribution of EO to the SDG Targets and Indicators
Foster the added-value of EO data in the SDG monitoring and reporting process
Facilitate uptake of EO by SDG stakeholders
Conduct impactful communication & outreach activities on EO for SDGs

21. Implementation Plan – Status Updates (1)
IP main activities
Status
Compile and maintain a compendium of CEOS Agencies’ engagement on SDGs
Compendium compilation ongoing but still largely incomplete.
Compendium to be presented at CEOS 32 Plenary
CEOS agencies to designate PoC and PoCs to list their activities on SDGs
Define a coherent, flexible & adaptive CEOS engagement plan on SDGs
Ongoing - CEOS Engagement priorities to be discussed at SIT TW
Engagement priorities to be finalised and presented at CEOS Plenary (with proposal on future of AHT SDG)
Depends on CEOS/GEO alignment of activities (to be discussed at SIT TW)
Coordinate CEOS support to GEO-led SDG activities (GEO EO4SDG initiative and GEO flagships /initiatives/communities active on SDGs with CEOS Agency involvement)
Ongoing, various cooperative activities with GEO EO4SDG:
GEO/CEOS joint participation to UN GGIM side-meeting at UNSC-49 (NYC, March) and to the Australian side event at HLPF on SDG (NYC, July)
GEO/CEOS joint communication (website content, including events calendar, training material…)
GEO/CEOS joint guest editors of scientific publications (e.g. RSE Special Issue on SDGs, new RS SI on “EO solutions to support countries implementing the SDGs”
=> Alignment of CEOS and GEO activities needed to optimise resources;
=> More coordination needed with other GEO initiatives working on SDG topics (Blue Planet, GEOGLAM, GEO Human Planet, GEO Wetlands, etc.);
Review and assess the contribution of EO to the SDG Targets and Indicators
Ongoing, output of ESA EO4SDGs project (launched in April 2018)
first task: perform an in-depth assessment of the EO contribution to the SDG targets and indicators with 2 outputs: Compendium + Policy brief.
Both products will undertake an external review by EO4SDG & AHT SDG.
First review completed – 2 levels of EO contribution - Fact sheets template produced
=> 1st version under review by GEO and CEOS AHT

22. Implementation Plan – Status Updates (2)
IP main activities
Status
Demonstrate, showcase and foster the added-value of EO data in the SDG monitoring and reporting process
Compilation of EO best case practices for SDGs (ongoing)
The RSE and RS Special Issue on SDGs will provide good examples.
ESA review on EO contribution to SDGs will also collect best practice examples
CEOS agencies solicited to provide examples from their (national) engagement on SDGs
National/Regional SDG pilot projects (ongoing)
CSIRO: Australia, EO Pacific Forum on SDGs (11-12 October, Brisbane)
ESA: two SDG projects in Uganda (1 funded by GPSDD, 1 by ESA)
NASA: two SDG pilot projects on SDG & / (countries: multiple; ongoing); Research opportunity (under review /selection) on SDGs 14 & 15 (upcoming)
Multi-national projects on CEOS data cubes with GA/CSIRO, NASA and GEO
=> More to be added
Training courses on EO for the SDGs (ongoing and to be discussed)
“SDG Academy” (SDSN) – in discussion with Flora/Kim/Argie (GEO)
CEOS AHT SDG role with capacity building to be discussed: provide only high-level content on EO and SDG to GEO? Links with CEOS WGCapD (action from SIT 33) on going.
Facilitate uptake of satellite EO by SDG stakeholders
List of all activities related to EO infrastructures (e.g. EO platforms) and tools (e.g. Toolboxes and data cubes) (ongoing)
Open Data Cube & SDG: the African Regional Data Cube project (with GPSDD);
Establishment of an EO Platform to Support Pacific Island Nation Environmental, Climate and Livelihood (CSIRO lead);
WGGI Task Stream 2 on Application of EO Data for the SDG indicators Needs;
Support to Trends.earth (NASA) on SDG ; current pilot is supporting CI on SDG (and expanding to also cover )
ESA Thematic Exploitation Platforms (TEPs), EU Copernicus DIAS
=> Analysis to be consolidated in the context of the WGGI Task Stream 2

23. Implementation Plan – Status Updates (3)
IP main activities
Status
Conduct impactful Communication & Outreach activities on EO for SDGs
“SDG updates”: (on-going)
first edition circulated within CEOS
Is it worth pursuing this? Or updates at SIT and Plenary enough? Perhaps a short (quarterly newsletter instead? Could be done jointly with EO4SDG or solely by the AHT SDG with EO4SDG ad-hoc inputs)
CEOS Earth Observation Handbook on SDGs (completed):
available here:
Released for the 49th Session of the UN Statistical Commission (March 2018)
Widely distributed in many SDG and EO related events
Flyer to promote EO satellite data & SDG
Internal communication ( ing and website updates)
On-line version of the CEO EO Handbook as a living document with inclusion of articles and best practice examples? Link to EO4SDG Portal ?
Contributions to GEO (EO4SDG) (ongoing)
GEO EO4SDG portal (website content, including calendar)
GEO/CEOS primers/flyers
Need to optimise GEO/CEOS collaboration on “EO for SDGs” communication and outreach?

24. ACHIEVEMENTS (on key ongoing activities)
AHT SDG key achievements & lessons learnt (to be reviewed)
ACHIEVEMENTS (on key ongoing activities)
LESSONS LEARNT
what done? What needed?
Compendium
Good initial inputs from agencies.
Need more responses (and more up to date info) from CEOS Agencies
Engagement Plan
To be elaborated in the upcoming months, after more discussions with EO4SDG to clarify our respective roles and alignment of activities.
CEOS/GEO roles need be clarified to be more efficient (optimised use of resources, maximise impact)
EO Handbook on SDG
Outstanding team work (ESA, Symbios, CSIRO (Flora) and all contributors): tangible exercise including various stakeholders, with quality result, recognized by CEOS Agencies.
Lively Handbook with regular insertion of EO best practices, country showcases, EO experiences from SDG stakeholders
Support to GEO EO4SDG
Good reactivity & coordination to complete various tasks (communication material, participation in key meetings, data cubes, capacity building, etc.).
Need more engagement from other AHT SDG members (mainly ESA and CSIRO and NOAA active supporting NASA/JAXA as GEO co-leads of EO4SDGs)
Compilation of case studies
Concrete inputs provided to the Compendium / EOHB, RSE SI on EO&SDG, RS SI to be issued soon with a country focus.
Need innovative and more specific (targeted) examples to help better EO uptake in SDG (in particular by NSOs)
Communication & outreach activities
Limited but regular production of communications material (“SDG Update”, SDG flyers), Participation to SDG events
Elaborate a common GEO/CEOS strategy for communication and outreach

25. GEO/CEOS alignment
Activities
Lead
GEO EO4SDG (with support of GEO initiatives)
CEOS ADH SDGs (with support of other CEOS bodies)
Contribution to IAEG-SDG Working Group on Geospatial Information (WGGI)
Sweden, Colombia,
UN GGIM (secretariat)
Joint contribution to the WGGI Task Stream on “Application of EO data for the SDG indicators Needs” (NASA, JAXA, ESA direct contribution with support from CEOS Agencies)
Interactions with UN specialized agencies (custodian of SDG indicators)
GEO
GEO participation to UN expert groups on SDG indicators, in part through dedicated GEO initiatives
build on established relationships CEOS Agencies have with UN agencies.
Participation more as individual agencies.
EO mainstreaming in country processes and systems (NSOs and line ministries)
Lead the collection and promotion of national EO showcases
CEOS Agencies help connecting with national authorities and providing country examples
EO value for the SDG targets and indicators
GEO/CEOS
Joint analysis of EO contribution to SDGs to be communicated following an agreed template.
Collect EO best case practices
Lead the collection of Best Practices following a defined template
All CEOS agencies to provide EO best practices examples
Develop precise examples (one or more per country/ CEOS agency) on uses of Earth observations for SDG indicators

26. GEO/CEOS alignment (2/3)
Activities
Lead
GEO EO4SDG (with support of GEO initiatives)
CEOS ADH SDGs (with support of other CEOS bodies)
Capacity building
GEO/CEOS
Coordinate the capacity building efforts with custodian Agencies and other GEO initiatives including the GEO WG-CB
GEO also developed a number of privileged contacts with pilot countries
Support provided on an ad-hoc basis (with CEOS WGCapD)
Conduct capacity building activities in coordination with EO4SDG (with WGCapD, other CEOS WGs) ?
EO enabling infrastructures for SDGs (platforms and toolboxes)
CEOS
Support CEOS on deploying Open Data Cube in countries
CEOS SEO through AHT SDG (Open Data Cube)
Develop examples of data cube outputs to address key sustainability needs & SDG indicators
Not prescriptive – Open to all relevant tools and platforms
Satellite Analysis Read Data (ARD) for the SDGs
Express ARD needs from SDG community
CEOS FDA/VC-LSI through AHT SDG (ARD analysis)
But CEOS FDA planned to be phased out after CEOS 32 Plenary
EO long term data continuity
(For SDG indicators baseline and regular future reporting)
Express EO data needs from SDG community
analysis of the satellite data availability (legacy data and long term continuity) for each of the SDG indicators

27. GEO/CEOS alignment (3/3)
Activities
Lead
GEO EO4SDG (with support of GEO initiatives)
CEOS ADH SDGs (with support of other CEOS bodies)
EO Data products validation / standardization / certification
CEOS
Express validation/standardisation needs from SDG community
CEOS WGCV through AHT SDG
EO Promotion and Outreach in the SDG community
GEO
Manage the EO4SDG Portal and communication material
support provided on ad-hoc basis
But important that CEOS appears in the communication
EO4SDG Awards
to be announced at the GEO Plenary & rolled out in January 2019 timeframe
EO4SDG will conduct annual awards for exemplary uses of EO to support the SDGs and their respective targets and indicators
Serve in the Evaluation Panel and Award Selection Committee
(long term objective)
Develop EO4SDG Portal into a SDG interactive knowledge resource
GEO & CEOS
EO4SDG Portal: evolution into a SDG EO knowledge Hub,:
Official Metadata & Guideline on how EO is integrated in SDG metrics (per indicator).
Best practices, lessons learned, valuation and impact assessment, inventory of tools and platforms available (per indicator)
Access to on-line platforms for calculating EO metrics
CEOS can contribute to the building of the EO knowledge Hub for SDGs and lead the development of on-line platforms.
to be integrated in the GEO EO4SDG portal:
open-source tools for calculating EO metrics for all relevant SDGs
[in collaboration with other CEOS WGs / AHTs, i.e., CEOS SEO, other]

28. Future outlook of the AHT SDG:
5 options presented at SIT-33, April 2018
Option 1: Continue as an AHT, requesting renewal for another year at Plenary, and continue to use Agencies’ best efforts to support UN and GEO mainstreaming EO in the SDG processes (new co-leads?);
Option 2: Continue as an AHT to ONLY act as a CEOS point of contact for external users, without undertaking new activities, and forward all specific requests to VC/WGs;
Option 3: ‘Graduate’ and become a CEOS Working Group with a more formal work plan, governance system and reporting mechanisms, and therefore more sustained efforts and support (= commitment) from CEOS and WG/VC members to implement the work plan;
Option 4: Consider what the AHT SDG achieved, and still needs to be done from a CEOS perspective, and phase out the AHT with transfer of all AHT activities to GEO EO4SDG (including CEOS Agencies support)
Option 5: Transform the AHT into an “SDG Strategy” (given its cross-cutting essence, following the “Carbon Strategy” path), with a solid work plan and coordination body to map SDG activities to existing CEOS resources (VC, WG, etc) and continue being the “SDG space arm” focal point for GEO

29. AHT Future Options Options Pros Cons Option 1
Continue as an AHT (best efforts)
CEOS still recognised as key partner by the SDG community to mainstream the use of satellite information in the 2030 agenda.
AHT would work with a light structure.
AHTs are meant to have short term objectives. For how long? What next?
Will need to restrict the AHT activities to a number of prioritized deliverables.
Option 2
Continue as an AHT (minimum efforts)
act as a CEOS point of contact
Ad-Hoc Team reduced to the bare minimum
Minimum efforts on CEOS (both on AHT and VCs/WGs).
CEOS role will be minimised and impact will be marginal.
would not respond to the objectives of an AHT according to CEOS Governance and Processes.
Maintaining a “quasi permanent” AHT as a CEOS point of contact do not justify the AHT continuation.
Option 3
Become a CEOS Working Group with a permanent structure
High Visibility for CEOS
Maximize impact for CEOS Agencies
Would be the 3rd thematic Working Groups (with Climate and Disaster) responding to the 3 top priorities of GEO and main Global Societal Agendas.
Needs a stronger engagement from the CEOS agencies,
Will require formal work plan, governance system and reporting mechanisms,
Imply more sustained efforts and support (= commitment) from most CEOS bodies (collaborative framework across CEOS).
Option 4
Phase out the AHT with transfer of all AHT activities to GEO EO4SDG
No efforts required by CEOS.
CEOS Agencies will still participate but individually under the GEO coordination
GEO EO4SDG does not have the resources to address all issues related to the adoption of EO solutions for the SDGs
CEOS role will totally disappear.
Option 5
Transform the AHT into an “SDG Strategy” (given its cross-cutting essence)
Involvement of all CEOS structures (VCs, WGs, AHTs) under the supervision of a CEOS coordination body.
Singularity in the CEOS Governance structure / unclear processes on how this can work.
CEOS existing working processes might not be efficient and responsive on GEO requests for support.

30. Proposal for long term future:
Working Group starting from 2020
Important for CEOS to have a solid and “permanent” structure dedicated to the SDGs.
Would be the 3rd thematic WG (with Climate and Disaster) in response to the 3 engagement priorities of GEO and main post-2015 Global Societal Agendas.
Mission: Enabling the integration of satellite observations in the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development, for the benefit of all countries, leaving no one behind, and maximizing CEOS agencies return on investment.
Priorities should be assigned to specific activities where CEOS and its agencies can bring tangible support.
A permanent structure requires critical mass of membership and resources.
Involvement of all relevant CEOS bodies (VCs, WGs, AHTs) is key to success.