The AIR Centre, in collaboration with Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente – APA (Algarve), Indra Deimos, and DHI Group, hosted an online Living Lab focused on leveraging Earth Observation data to support water resource monitoring in the Algarve region.

This meeting brought together local technicians and stakeholders to gather insights and identify requirements for using Earth Observation data to monitor Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) indicators, which focus on clean water and sanitation.

The session specifically addressed three critical water monitoring indicators:

SDG 6.4.2 – Water Stress Level: Examining the proportion of freshwater withdrawals relative to total available freshwater resources, a crucial metric for understanding regional water scarcity pressures.
SDG 6.6.1 – Sub-indicator 1: Monitoring changes in the extent of aquatic ecosystems over time, with enhanced capabilities through the fusion of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite data.
SDG 6.6.1 – Sub-indicator 2: Tracking variations in the relative quantity of groundwater resources, essential for sustainable water management.

By focusing on the Algarve region, the Living Lab captured local expertise and addressed specific water management challenges in an area facing increasing pressure from climate change, tourism, and agriculture.

Through the EO4SURE project, the AIR Centre is working to bridge the gap between Earth Observation technology and practical applications for environmental agencies and local stakeholders. This Living Lab exemplifies the Centre’s approach to developing data-driven solutions for water sustainability challenges by bringing together diverse expertise and regional insights.

The AIR Centre’s collaboration with APA Algarve, Indra Deimos, and DHI demonstrates its commitment to advancing environmental monitoring capabilities and supporting evidence-based decision-making for water resource management through interdisciplinary partnerships.