China established a satellite observation alliance for sustainable development on Tuesday, aiming to give full play to the advantages and potential of Earth observation from space.

The alliance, named the Alliance of Sustainable Development Goals Satellites, includes seven Chinese research institutions as members, with around 60 satellites. It aims to pool wisdom and strength and facilitate data sharing within the alliance. 

The huge quantity of data obtained through the observation of Earth from space is of great significance for the monitoring and evaluation of sustainable development goals, as well as related scientific research, according to Guo Huadong, director of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS).

The alliance, a non-profit, academic group working on scientific research, can provide data services and sci-tech support for the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

It was jointly initiated by seven institutions, including CBAS, the Satellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and the China Center for Resources Satellite Data and Application, and officially set up at the 2022 International Forum on Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals in Beijing.

(With input from Xinhua)