Using economic methods to assess impacts of earth observation-based services: Why and how?

Earth Observations (EO) are increasingly recognized for advancing scientific understanding and providing critical data for decision-making in environmental monitoring, risk management, and resource allocation. Yet, the social and economic impacts of EO-based services, particularly in the international development context, are still largely unexplored. This paper addresses this gap by presenting economic methods for assessing the impact of EO services across five key areas: agriculture and food security, water security, ecosystem and carbon management, weather and climate resilience, and air quality and health. Case studies from SERVIR, a U.S. Government program funded through NASA, 1 SERVIR was jointly funded through NASA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through February 2025. 1 demonstrate the methods used to evaluate both direct and indirect economic impacts of EO-driven tools. Findings highlight the value of incorporating impact assessments into EO services, enabling policymakers to allocate resources better, shape sustainable policies, and maximize societal benefits. This integration is not only valuable but essential, bridging geophysical EO projects with economic assessments for more effective, informed decision-making. The urgency and importance of this task cannot be overstated. • EO are increasingly recognized for their role in providing critical data for decision-making in areas such as environmental monitoring, risk management and resource allocation. • Although EO services are highly valuable, their economic and social impacts remain underexplored, especially within the context of international development. • SERVIR, a U.S. Government program, is highlighted with case studies showing methods used to assess EO-driven tools and their direct and indirect economic impacts. • Applying economic methods is essential for effectively evaluating the impacts of EO services and maximizing their benefits.