Benefits of Space: Sustainable Development

Economic development, social development and environmental protection form the three pillars of sustainable development. Politicians, academics and leaders in business and science are challenged to use this framework to create lasting, economically effective and healthy societies in a world with finite resources.

Earth observation from space is a cost-effective way of obtaining unbiased and essential data on the physical world. Decision makers use this information to understand trends, evaluate needs, and create sustainable development policies and programmes in the best interest of all populations.

For more information, see also:

Space4SDGs: Space Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals

Roundtable: Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development

UN-Space: United Nations Coordination of Outer Space Activities

UNOOSA Activities on Socioeconomic Development

Reports of the Secretary-General and UN-Space Special Reports

The Millennium Development Goals Report 2015:

Read how geospatial data can support monitoring in many aspects of development, from health care to natural resource management

Space and the Post-2015 Development Agenda