Rationale and Vision

SAEON Vision

A sustained, coordinated, responsive and comprehensive in situ South African Earth observation network that delivers long-term reliable data for scientific research and informs decision-making for a knowledge society and improved quality of life.

Rationale for establishment

South Africa is committed, locally, nationally and internationally, to the promotion of sustainable development. Progress in this regard is constrained by the lack of reliable long-term data at scales that are relevant to policy, and by the lack of integration between the various systems that provide information on the environmental, social and economic elements of sustainability.

To address this critical gap, South Africa will collect, store and assess appropriate longitudinal social, economic and environmental data to inform relevant research, policy, reporting and action.

This is the rationale for the establishment of SAEON.