The social and economic value of Earth Observation data

• Main Author: Miller, Lewis
• Published: University College London (University of London) 2008
• Subjects: 381
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.500068

Throughout the development of the remote sensing industry, social and economic value of Earth Observation data has been measured using contributions to scientific understanding and market prices. Neither approach is satisfactory because Earth Observation data adds value to a broad range of activities, within and outside markets. A repeatable strategy for effectively capturing value is proposed to support full and comprehensive assessment of so-far missing markets in Earth Observation. Complete value-capture serves two purposes to permit fair competition with more commercial market alternatives and to allow informed management in the absence of traditional market forces. Disciplines such as environmental accounting and law provide guidance for complex valuation. Rigorous examination of value characteristics had not been undertaken in Earth Observation before this research. An innovative map of value components is constructed using coordinates of rivalry and excludability. Pre-existing valuation schemes are simplistic and do not capture value with sufficient precision or in enough depth to support informed management and decision making. The broad range of value characteristics found within Earth Observation suggest that 'one size fits all' data policies are inappropriate. Case studies in Forestry and Humanitarian Aid are used to explore components of Earth Observation value and to develop a model for capturing value. Both case studies suggest that Earth Observation benefits often reside outside markets in the form of improved decision-making, more effective and efficient staff deployment and more focused management and mitigation activities. The new model of value presented in this thesis consistently captures components of value which have in the past been incompletely or poorly represented. This is both important and timely non-market socio-cultural impacts, such as improved strategic decision-making and information-collection have recently been recognised as key outputs of Earth Observation through GMES and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).