Celebrating productivity, innovation, novelty, and exemplary efforts in the use of Earth observations to support sustainable development is the goal of the GEO SDG Awards.
The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) and the Earth Observations for Sustainable Development Goals (EO4SDG) Initiative announce the winners of the fourth annual GEO Sustainable Development Goals Awards. At GEO Week 2022 they recognized six organizations and countries from around the world for exemplary work in the Sectoral and Special Categories.
The EO4SDG initiative received 20 nominations from countries and organizations around the world. Eight panelists from across sectors and countries reviewed the nominations. They assessed the overall impact, quality and soundness of the Earth observation endeavors, and gauged their potential to be replicated and scaled up. Launched in 2019, this annual award is for those making an impact on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
SECTORAL CATEGORY AWARDS
- GEO Member Country: Reforestamos México
- GEO Participating Organization: United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
- GEO Work Programme Activity: Digital Earth Africa
- Academia: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Commercial Sector: EOS Data Analytics
SPECIAL CATEGORY AWARDS
- Collaboration: Costa Rica Ministry of Environment and Energy and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
Set by the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a universal set of priorities to use as a blueprint of action for people, the planet, and prosperity. Earth observations, geospatial data, and the information they provide play insightful roles in monitoring targets, tracking progress. They also help nation and stakeholders make informed decisions toward achieving the SDGs.
The GEO SDG award celebrates progress toward managing or achieving an "SDG Target" and/or producing an "SDG Indicator" through Earth observations. EO4SDG annually invites nominations from GEO member countries, GEO participating organizations, SDG custodian agencies, GEO work program activities, GEO Associates, academic institutions, intergovernmental organizations, private sector, and civil society.
The awards include sectoral and special award categories. Sectoral awards focus on the type of organization and the nature of their work. Special awards recognize specific key tenets and objectives, including innovation, statistical-geospatial integration, testimonial/story, and collaboration.
More on NASA work on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals can be found at the SDG website.
