Are National Spatial Data Infrastructures Adequate for Achieving the 2030 Agenda? A Case Study of Brazil's NSDI from the Perspective of UN‐GGIM Fundamental Themes

ABSTRACT Geospatial data are vital for monitoring progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 Agenda. National Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDIs) facilitate geospatial data interoperability, providing essential strategic information. However, despite their recognized importance, there is an evident gap between the intended potential of NSDIs and their actual effectiveness in fulfilling these roles. This paper critically evaluates the adequacy of the Brazilian NSDI (INDE) concerning the 14 global fundamental geospatial data themes endorsed by the UN‐GGIM. An open‐source framework was developed in the Python programming language to systematically retrieve, categorize, and analyze all geospatial data from INDE's GeoPortal, aligning them with the UN‐GGIM geospatial data themes. The findings reveal that all 14 themes are represented by freely accessible data, although some are only minimally covered, and significant shortcomings exist in data completeness, detail, and usability. The analysis highlights the urgent need for restructuring the NSDI to incorporate new data providers, such as local governments, academic institutions, and volunteered geographic information sources, to ensure more detailed and up‐to‐date geospatial data. Study limitations, such as reliance on keywords for classification method, underscore the need for further research, although these findings highlight similar challenges and opportunities for other NSDIs. Without substantial enhancements, the Brazilian NSDI—and possibly NSDIs in general—may not adequately support the data needs required for achieving SDGs. This calls for immediate action to expand and improve NSDIs, emphasizing inclusivity, metadata standardization, and user‐centric design to enhance their relevance and effectiveness in supporting decision‐making for sustainable development.