Use the power of satellite imagery and geospatial data to take on today’s biggest sustainability challenges. In this practical, hands-on course, you’ll learn how to use Google Earth Engine (GEE) to collect, analyze, and visualize geographic data that directly supports the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Introduction to Geo-Data and Sustainable Development
From climate change to biodiversity loss, today’s environmental challenges are urgent, complex, and global. These problems don’t just affect nature — they impact public health, food systems, economies, and everyday life. Therefore, solving them requires more than good ideas. It demands clear data, smart tools, and informed action.
This is where geo-information becomes essential. Geo-data — information tied to specific locations — helps us understand how the planet is changing. For example, it reveals where forests are disappearing, where cities are expanding, how air quality shifts, and how ecosystems recover after wildfires. In other words, it turns complex problems into measurable, visible patterns we can act on.
To coordinate global progress, the United Nations established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — 17 ambitious targets for a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable world. These goals include clean energy, responsible land use, climate action, and biodiversity protection. However, managing progress requires accurate measurement. For that reason, technology becomes crucial.
One of the most powerful tools for working with geo-data is Google Earth Engine (GEE). It’s a cloud-based platform that lets users access and analyze massive satellite imagery datasets — all through a web browser. With this in mind, GEE allows you to monitor environmental changes, explore long-term trends, and create visuals that clarify what’s happening in the world.
This course is your introduction to that world. You’ll learn to explore and analyze geospatial data using Google Earth Engine. More importantly, you’ll see how to apply these insights to real-world sustainability goals. For instance, whether you’re interested in land degradation (SDG 15.3), biodiversity (SDG 15.5), or challenges related to public health, urban development, or climate resilience (SDGs 3, 11, and 13), this course equips you with practical tools for informed, impactful work.
Regardless of your background — whether you’re a student, researcher, policymaker, or simply curious — this course will help you turn data into action. In the final analysis, it’s designed to support your contribution to a better future for both people and the planet.
You’ll start with the basics of geospatial data. Then, you’ll explore how it connects to global development goals. Through hands-on exercises and real-world examples, you’ll learn to use Google Earth Engine. You’ll process satellite imagery, extract insights, and create clear, compelling visualizations.
As you advance, you’ll learn to navigate the GEE interface and access satellite image collections. You’ll also apply statistical tools like reducers to summarize data effectively. In addition, you’ll perform time-series analysis to track environmental change over time. Finally, you’ll build the skills to present your findings with confidence — using maps and visuals that support research, policy, and sustainability work.
At Geo-ICT, we believe that advanced tools like Google Earth Engine should be practical, accessible, and focused on real-world impact. That’s why this course is built around applied learning — where every concept connects directly to sustainability challenges.
Here’s what makes it stand out:
Whether you’re starting with spatial analysis or looking to sharpen your data-driven sustainability toolkit, this course offers a clear, applied path into the world of geospatial intelligence.
In this hands-on, one-day course, you’ll explore how Google Earth Engine (GEE) can be used to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through geospatial analysis.
You’ll start with an introduction to the SDGs and their connection to environmental data. Then, you’ll get practical experience using GEE tools like image collections and reducers for efficient data processing.
The course also covers data visualization and interpretation techniques, helping you communicate insights clearly. You’ll perform time series analysis to track changes in land and ecosystems, supporting goals like SDG 15.3 (sustainable land management) and SDG 15.5 (biodiversity conservation).
Finally, you’ll explore air quality monitoring using GEE, with examples linked to SDG 3 (health), SDG 11 (sustainable cities), and SDG 13 (climate action). By the end of the day, you’ll be able to apply geospatial tools to real-world sustainability challenges.
