Enhancing EO Data Accessibility: Policy Recommendations and Insights from EO4EU Platform

Enhancing EO Data Accessibility: Policy Recommendations and insights from EO4EU Platform 2024 Policy Brief 2 Table of contents Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Earth Observation Landscape and Data Accessibility ................................................................................ 4 INSPIREDirective ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Open Data Directive ................................................................................................................................... 5 Data Governance Act ................................................................................................................................. 5 Copernicus data policy ............................................................................................................................... 6 Future Prospects: Evolving Data Policies ...................................................................................................... 6 Enhancing EO Data Accessibility: Insights from the EO4EU project .........................................................7 EO4EU Survey: Features Expanding EO Data Usability ............................................................................... 7 Key findings from the EO4EU Survey ............................................................................................................ 8 1. Most In-Demand Datasets ..................................................................................................................... 8 2. Search & Metadata Requirements ........................................................................................................ 8 3. Processing Capabilities ........................................................................................................................... 8 4. Algorithm & Analysis Needs ................................................................................................................... 8 The EO4EU Platform Differentiating Factors .............................................................................................. 9 1. Overcoming Data Fragmentation .......................................................................................................... 9 2. Reducing Technical Barriers .................................................................................................................. 9 3. Addressing Real-Time Data Need.......................................................................................................... 9 EO4EU Platform: Unifying and Streamlining Access to EO Data Sources ............................................... 10 Expected Impact ............................................................................................................................................ 10 EO4EU Platform: Insights from Industry Applications .............................................................................11 EO4EU Use Cases: Unlocking the Potential of EO Data Across Industries ............................................. 11 Use case 1: Personal Allergy Symptoms Forecast ................................................................................. 11 Use case 2: Ocean Monitoring ................................................................................................................. 12 Use case 3: Food Security ......................................................................................................................... 12 Use case 4: Forest Ecosystems ................................................................................................................ 12 Use case 5: Soil Erosion ............................................................................................................................ 13 Use case 6: Environmental Pest .............................................................................................................. 13 Use case 7: Civil Protection Activities ...................................................................................................... 13 Policy Recommendations for Enhancing EO Data Accessibility and Usability ......................................15 Reduce Data Fragmentation & Foster Cross-Sector Knowledge Sharing ........................................... 15 Raise Awareness & Incentivize Widespread Adoption ......................................................................... 15 Simplify Access & Enhance Usability for Decision-Makers ................................................................... 15 Promote Interoperability & Standardisation for Sustainable Data Governance ............................... 15 Strengthen Policy Integration & Community Engagement .................................................................. 16 Conclusions ...................................................................................................................................................17 3 Summary Europe boasts a robust Earth Observation (EO) ecosystem. Yet persistent challenges, including data fragmentation, limited interoperability, and technical barriers, continue to hinder its full potential. The EO4EU project directly addresses these issues by developing an integrated platform that enhances EO data accessibility, usability, and real-time processing. By leveraging AI, machine learning, and cloud computing, EO4EU streamlines data retrieval and analysis, making it more accessible for policymakers, industry, researchers, and a larger public. The EO4EU Platform serves as a model for how unified data access and advanced digital technologies can unlock the value of EO data and drive solutions to major environmental and societal challenges. Through seven targeted use cases on healthcare, ocean monitoring, soil erosion, forest ecosystems, civil protection, environmental pest control, and food security, the EO4EU project demonstrates EO data’s transformative potential. These use cases not only highlight EO applications across diverse sectors but also provide valuable insights into the technical and operational requirements needed to optimize EO data utilisation. This policy brief outlines key challenges in EO data exploitation and presents the solutions integrated into the EO4EU Platform to overcome them. It also showcases the implemented use cases to illustrate the features and capabilities essential for specific sectors. Finally, the policy brief provides policy recommendations based on the EO4EU project’s consortia experience and expertise, aimed at addressing persistent barriers and maximizing the impact of EO data across Europe. 4 Earth Observation Landscape and Data Accessibility The Earth Observation industry is evolving rapidly, driven by the growing demand for accurate, real-time data and innovative applications across various sectors. With its extensive technical expertise, robust research capabilities, and world-leading space programs like Copernicus, the European Union holds immense potential to shape the future of this industry. To fully capitalize on these strengths, it is crucial to support European companies in expanding their market presence, fostering innovation, and enhancing competitiveness. Additionally, advancing a clear and forward-looking legislative framework will ensure sustainable growth, reinforce Europe’s leadership in the sector, and facilitate seamless collaboration between public and private stakeholders. The European Union’s policies are designed to facilitate open and unrestricted access to Earth Observation (EO) data, fostering innovation, economic growth, and scientific advancement. By promoting data accessibility, the EU aims to maximize the impact of EO technologies in critical domains such as environmental protection, disaster and crisis management, land and maritime monitoring, climate change mitigation, and atmospheric analysis.1 A key pillar of this strategy is leveraging diverse and advanced EO data sources, including the Copernicus program, which encompasses the Sentinel-1 to Sentinel-6 missions, providing high-resolution imagery and environmental monitoring. Additionally, GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems), INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe), DestinE (Destination Earth), and the Galileo/ EGNOS satellite navigation systems contribute to comprehensive, high-precision geospatial intelligence, see Table 1. Through these initiatives, the EU strengthens its global leadership in EO and aims to ensure data-driven decision-making. Table 1: Major sources of EO-Data in Europe Source Accessibility Access to the data Copernicus Data is open and freely accessible. It can be explored, visualized and downloaded trough the Copernicus portal. https://www.copernicus.eu/en/ access-data GEOSS GEOSS provides access to a wide range of earth observation data, and much of it is open access.The GEOSS Portal allows users to search and access data from various sources globally. https://www.geoportal. org/?m:activeLayerTileId=osm&f:dataSource=dab INSPIRE The majority of the INSPIRE spatial data sets and services are available free of charge to the public and the public authorities, due to different national access regulations, there are some exceptions.2 Example: https://agraratlas. inspire.gv.at/?x=14.03307& y=47.89621&z=10.32465 &r=0#/000000000000000000 0000,000000 1 Marboe, I2016,European Earth Observation Data Policy – Meeting Various Goals by Multiple and Diverse Actors: A Herculean Task?in R Moro, PJ Blount & M-Z Masson-Zwaan (eds),Proceedings of the International Institute of Space Law 2015.Eleven International Publishing, Den Haag, Proceedings of the International Institute of Space Law, pp. 627-640. 2 Data.gv.at, Geodaten – INSPIRE, https://www.data.gv.at/daten/inspire/, state: 20.09.2024 5 Source Accessibility Access to the data DestineE DestinE Datasets contain data which can be accessed or downloaded for further processing for free.3 https://platform.destine.eu/ Galileo/EGNOS The data can be accessed through the EGNOS Data Access Service (EDAS). The use is limited to non-safety purposes for users within surveying, mapping, construction, agriculture and more.4 https://edas-maritime.gsc-europa.eu/resources-tools/downloads (only for registered users) Maximizing the potential of Earth Observation (EO) datasets requires a strong legislative framework. Several measures have been put in place by the EU to support the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework in the EU facilitating the efficient access, sharing, and use of geospatial and EO data across different sectors. INSPIREDirective The INSPIRE Directive aims to standardize geospatial data across EU member states, ensuring interoperability and seamless integration of datasets from various sources. It defines common standards for variables such as coordinate systems, metadata, and data formats, enabling efficient cross-border data sharing. Additionally, INSPIRE mandates that geospatial information critical for governance should be easily accessible, transparent, and discoverable, including clear terms of use. LINK: INSPIRE Knowledge Base Open Data Directive To provide common rules for a European market for government data based on transparency and fair competition. The Directive specifies that High Value Datasets (HDVs) should be made available free of charge, in machine-readable format, via APIs and, where relevant, as bulk downloads. HDVs are datasets that are associated with important benefits for society and the economy, which datasets are HDVs and how they may be published and further processed is defined in the HDVS Implementing Act. This directive complements the INSPIRE Directive, as both promote accessibility and standardisation of spatial data within the EU. Data Governance Act The Data Governance Act is designed to facilitate data sharing and reuse across sectors by addressing technical and legal barriers. It strengthens mechanisms for secure and standardized data exchange, particularly for sensitive or commercially valuable data. The act, along with the Open Data Directive, is implemented under Directive 2019/1024 on Open Data and the Re-use of Public Sector Information. 3 destination-earth.eu, DestinE Data Policy for DestinE Digital Twin Outputs, https://destine-data-lakedocs.data.destination-earth.eu/en/latest/dedl-discovery-and-data-access/DestinE-Data-Policy-for-DestinE-Digital-Twin-Outputs/DestinE-Data-Policy-for-DestinE-Digital-Twin-Outputs.html, state: 20.09.2024 4 europa.eu, EGNOS | Satellite Navigation, https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-space/ egnos-satellite-navigation_en, state: 20.09.2024 6 Copernicus data policy The Copernicus Data Policy ensures that data and information from the EU’s Copernicus program are made available on a full, open, and free-of-charge basis, subject to specific conditions such as registration, dissemination formats, and access restrictions where necessary. This open-access model enhances innovation and maximizes the socioeconomic benefits of Copernicus EO data. Future Prospects: Evolving Data Policies Several new legislative and policy initiatives are under development to further refine data governance and support environmental sustainability: ʁThe Data Act (will become applicable in September 2025) aims to regulate data access and usage by defining who can access specific datasets and under what conditions, ensuring fair distribution of data-driven value. ʁGreenData4All is an initiative aimed at modernizing EU regulations on environmental geospatial data and improving public access to environmental information. ʁGreen Deal Data Space is a developing framework to establish a common European data space for collecting, sharing, processing, and analyzing large-scale datasets in support of the European Green Deal’s priority actions. These upcoming initiatives will further enhance Europe’s position as a leader in Earth Observation data accessibility, environmental monitoring, and digital innovation. 7 Enhancing EO Data Accessibility: Insights from the EO4EU project Europe is globally recognized for its strong EO and research capabilities, supported by a diverse range of EO data sources. In addition to the key data sources (see Table 1), numerous EU-funded projects and initiatives aim to streamline the retrieval and processing of geospatial information. However, the EO data landscape remains complex and fragmented. Major EO data sources often do not provide ready-to-use datasets tailored to a broad spectrum of users, making data accessibility and usability a challenge. Moreover, a lack of coordination among different initiatives results in a limited scope of applications, restricting the full potential of EO data in addressing critical challenges across various sectors. These barriers hinder efficient data exploitation and slow down adoption by policymakers, industry, and academia. To enhance EO data uptake and usability, the EO4EU project seeks to establish a unified platform for seamless access and processing of EO data. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, the project aims to offer advanced tools for data integration, interpolation, extrapolation, and visualisation. Additionally, it introduces immersive VR features, enabling users to interact with EO datasets in an intuitive and dynamic way, ultimately bridging the gap between data providers and end-users. EO4EU Survey: Features Expanding EO Data Usability The EO4EU project conducted a public survey to assess user needs and challenges related to EO data retrieval, processing, and usability. The findings reveal a strong demand for European EO data sources and highlight critical requirements for improving accessibility, interoperability, and ease of use. By identifying key user priorities, the survey results contribute to the development of more efficient, user-friendly, and scalable EO data platforms. The following findings, presented in this policy brief, offer actionable insights that can inform future strategies for EO data governance, innovation, and adoption across multiple sectors. 8 Key findings from the EO4EU Survey 1. Most In-Demand Datasets Copernicus Sentinel-2 (70%), Sentinel-1 (63.3%), and the Digital Elevation Model (60%) were identified as the top three datasets required by users. ʁLong-term historical datasets are essential for studying changes in Earth’s surface over time. ʁBroad geographical coverage is necessary to enable analyses from local to global scales. 2. Search & Metadata Requirements ʁThe most preferred search method is based on standard criteria (93.3%), such as time range, sensor type, processing level, coverage, and cloud cover. ʁUsers also expressed interest in natural language search (36.7%) and image-based search (30%). ʁTo improve data discoverability, a two-level metadata system (96.7%) is recommended: ʁCollection-level metadata (dataset-level) ʁGranule-level metadata (file-level) ʁEssential metadata attributes include geographical and temporal extent, processing level, and relevant keywords. ʁInterfacing services like an API (73.3%), processing algorithms, and computing resources were highlighted as crucial. 3. Processing Capabilities ʁUsers prioritize near-real-time processing (63.3%) to obtain rapid results. ʁCustomizable processing pipelines (56.7%) are needed to tailor workflows to specific user requirements. ʁThe ability to integrate local processing chains (82.6%) with platform-based processing (70%) is a key requirement. ʁUsers emphasized the need to access data through various methods (API/CLI - 30%) and to retrieve intermediate processing results (70%) for debugging and validation. 4. Algorithm & Analysis Needs ʁThe most sought-after algorithm is Data Fusion (70%), which enables the integration of multiple data sources such as Sentinel-1 (100%), Sentinel-2 (100%), ERA-5, and MODIS (100%). ʁUsers also expressed strong interest in Feature Extraction Algorithms (53.3%), including vegetation indices (NDVI, NDI) and Machine Learning (ML)-based tools. ʁInterfacing services should allow users to implement custom code and visualize processing results alongside EO datasets. 9 The EO4EU Platform Differentiating Factors The EO4EU Platform is a major outcome of the EO4EU Project, funded under the Horizon Europe programme. Designed to enhance access to and utilisation of EO data, the platform aims to support better forecasting, decision-making, and policy implementation across various sectors. To achieve this, EO4EU integrates disruptive technologies that streamline data retrieval, processing, and analysis. The EO4EU Platform leverages cutting-edge innovations, including: ʁMachine Learning & AI – Automating data processing, enhancing pattern recognition, and improving predictive analytics. ʁCloud Computing – Enabling scalable, high-performance data storage and processing for large EO datasets. ʁSemantic-Enhanced Knowledge Graph – Structuring and linking EO data to improve discoverability, interoperability, and usability. These technologies allow EO4EU to tackle key challenges, such as data fragmentation, accessibility barriers, and the need for real-time insights, while ensuring a more seamless and effective use of EO data for a better forecast and decision-making. 1. Overcoming Data Fragmentation One of the primary challenges in EO data accessibility is the fragmentation across multiple sources, making it difficult for users to find, access, and utilize comprehensive datasets efficiently. EO4EU tackles this issue by integrating diverse EO datasets into a unified platform, streamlining access and enhancing interoperability. By consolidating data from sources such as Copernicus, GEOSS, ECMWF, and Galileo, EO4EU reduces complexity and ensures users can easily search, retrieve, and process information from different providers in a seamless manner. Additionally, the EO4EU platform leverages AI-powered tools, machine learning capabilities, and advanced visualisation techniques to enhance usability, making EO data more accessible. 2. Reducing Technical Barriers Many potential users encounter technical challenges when accessing EO data, often due to complex interfaces, overwhelming data formats, or a lack of technical expertise. These barriers limit the widespread adoption of EO data, preventing non-expert users from fully leveraging its potential. The EO4EU Platform is designed to eliminate these obstacles by offering a more user-friendly interface that simplifies data discovery, retrieval, and processing thanks to AI-driven tools, automated workflows, and interactive visualisation features. 3. Addressing Real-Time Data Need In many applications, timely access to updated information is crucial for effective decision-making. Delays in data retrieval and processing can hinder rapid response efforts, particularly in time-sensitive fields such as disaster management, environmental monitoring, and crisis response. The EO4EU Platform addresses this need by offering real-time processing capabilities, enabling users to access, analyze and interpret EO data quickly and efficiently. 16 ٩Strengthen Policy Integration & Community Engagement ʁConduct extensive consultations with the EuroGeo community, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to identify EO data applications in key sectors such as: ʁClimate change and environmental protection ʁEnergy and transportation ʁAgriculture and food security ʁCivil protection and disaster management ʁHealthcare and public health ʁEncourage cross-sector dialogue to align EO data capabilities with specific policy needs, ensuring its seamless integration into decision-making frameworks. By implementing these recommendations, EO data can become more accessible, impactful, and actionable, empowering stakeholders to make informed, data-driven decisions while fostering innovation and sustainable development. 17 Conclusions Despite the robust sources of EO data and research advancements, key barriers such as data fragmentation, limited coordination, and technical complexities hinder its widespread use in Europe. The EO4EU project provides a promising solution by offering a platform that streamlines access, enhances interoperability, and integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and immersive tools to improve the usability of EO data for a broader range of users. Through user surveys and a set of industry-specific use cases, the EO4EU platform has demonstrated its potential to benefit such sectors as agriculture, healthcare, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. These use cases have highlighted critical requirements such as scalability, real-time data processing, and seamless integration with existing systems, while underlining the need for a user-friendly, accessible platform solution that empowers diverse stakeholders. To fully leverage the potential of EO data, Europe must prioritize removing existing barriers, particularly in terms of data fragmentation, accessibility, and usability. Ensuring that EO data is not only accessible but also actionable for various end-users is key to achieving impactful results. Specific recommendations stemming from the EO4EU project include reducing EO data fragmentation by providing unified solutions, enhancing data sharing and the interoperability of existing systems, raising awareness about the available data sources and promote their use in relation to the most pressing challenges, simplifying access to EO data for non-technical users, leverage disruptive technologies for real-time data processing and wider customisation capabilities. By leveraging these recommendations, Europe can fully unlock the transformative potential of EO data, strengthening informed decision-making in numerous industries and sectors. Authors: Stathes Hadjiefthymiades, Sarantis Paskalis (NKUA), Vasileios Baousis (ECMWF), Valeriya Fetisova, Rob Carillo (Trust-IT Services Srl), Monia Santini (CMCC), Ralf Hedel (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft), Stefano Natali, Maximilien Houel (Sistema GMBH), Marco Folegani (MEEO Srl)