Earth Observations for Official Statistics: Satellite Imagery and Geo-spatial Task Team Report
The United Nations Task Team on Satellite Imagery and Geospatial Data report is now published on the United Nations Big Data for Official Statistics Global Working Group website. This handbook provides a guide for National Statistical Offices considering using satellite imagery (known as Earth observations) data for official statistics. It was produced as an input to the United Nations Global Working Group on Big Data for Official Statistics report to the UN Statistical Commission for 2017.
Abstract from Executive Summary
The handbook provides a brief introduction to the use of earth observations (EO) data for official statistics, types of sources available and methodologies for producing statistics from this type of data. It also summarises the results of four pilot projects produced by Task Team members; Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia, Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografíca e Informática (INEGI), Mexico, Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica (DANE), Colombia and Google. Supplementary material includes a methodology literature review, and the full reports of the pilot projects.
In the final chapter, guidelines are presented for National Statistical Offices to consider and refer to when considering whether to implement earth observations data sources into their statistical production process, and issues to consider throughout the implementation and output processes. Rather than being prescriptive, the guidelines are intended to prompt National Statistical Office to critically consider their own business needs, and apply the recommendations as appropriate to their circumstances. As the international experience using these data for statistical purposes grows, National Statistical Offices can build on the guidelines provided in this handbook with their own expertise and knowledge.
Task Team Report
Download the Satellite Imagery and Geospatial Data Task Team report here.
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