This area provides a wide list of success stories categorized according to the  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This area allows interested EO user communities to identify EO applications based on the SDGs. The UN SDGs are at the heart of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, providing a blueprint for the people, the planet, and its resources now and in the future.

Only the SDGs where EO can make a sound contribution have been displayed. To know more about the success stories linked to products or applications, you can refer to the EO in Action section, and select the appropriate product page.
The summary of the European EO services supporting the SDGs could be downloaded here EO Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals



In September 2015, the UN General Assembly ratified the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, a new transformative, integrated and universal agenda that aims to end poverty, promote prosperity and people’s well-being while protecting the environment. The core of the 2030 agenda is the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their 169 associated targets, which should be achieved by 2030. The SDGs are being launched with an emphasis on collecting data that will be extensive and specific enough to serve these needs. They are designed to balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental.

Earth observation (EO) is a powerful instrument to support the reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and indicators and the provision of relevant information to effectively monitor progress towards the SDG targets, and the degree of compliance with the International Agreements. It helps on the provision of critical information on natural resources, government operations, public services, or population demographics. This actionable information helps on the SDG implementation role, monitoring, reporting, and the facilitation and shaping of reporting methods, policy and tools. These insights can inform national priorities and help determine the most effective paths for action on national issues. EO is a critical data source for monitoring and driving progress against the SDGs.

Effective monitoring of the SDG and reporting of the progress towards the SDG targets require the use of multiple types of data such as EO which together with modern data processing and analytics, offer new opportunities to track sustainable development.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda

Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.