The scope of the WG1 is to provide scientific and technological knowledge for the definition and implementation of the Digital Earth vision, including a standard baseline and a metrics.

2. Objectives and Methodology

The main goals of WG1 are:

(1) To generate and maintain the definition of the Digital Earth vision - also collecting and coordinating the contributions provided by the other WGs. To strengthen recognition of ISDE as a leading scientific community developing a new geospatial paradigm.

(2) To define and keep updated a Digital Earth index to measure the progress of the Digital Earth vision uptake - this includes developing a metrics (i.e. key indicators) and recognizing existing gaps in the Scientific & Technological development of the Digital Earth vision. Some indicators generation is expected by the other WGs. To focus the interdisciplinary scientific and R&D community on the most desired areas of research.

(3) To design and develop technology prototypes and application pilots to demonstrate the feasibility of the Digital Earth vision, the effectiveness of its enabling technologies, and the raised opportunities. This links well also with other WG objectives - e.g. WG6 that aims at developing a DE Virtual Laboratory for the SDGs agenda implementation.

The methodological approach of WG1 is based on a cyclic approach. WG1 will adopt a holistic approach to monitor and facilitate the Scientific & Technological development of the Digital Earth vision. This approach builds on the following principles:

(1) Science and technology developments go hand in hand.

(2) The Digital Earth scientific and technological domain must be clearly identified, in respect to other existing disciplines - see also the Manual of Digital Earth and the new Digital Earth definition.

(3) A metrics must be provided.

(4) Gaps are recognized in respect to collected users’ needs and requirements that are instrumental to realize the Digital Earth vision.

The adopted methodology builds on the followings:

(1) Engage the Digital Earth community via workshops and summits, convening experts, developers, and users - establish expert groups on specific topics, where useful.

(2) Work in close collaboration with the other WGs.

(3) Consider the knowledge coming from other relevant initiatives, such as: GEO, UN SDGs, international SDOs, the industrial sector.

(4) Consider the requests coming from the ISDE Council.

3. Activities

(1) 2022 should set the current milestones in the development of ISDE and the Digital Earth concept in the context of the profound civilizational changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. WG1 should address the following tasks:
- develop, justify and discuss a contemporary scientific definition of Digital Earth;
- contribute to the development of the Digital Earth Vision 2030;
- contribute to the formation of the scientific horizon of ISDE and set up advanced R&D;
- Ensure sustainable development of ISDE itself through the involvement of new members, setting and promoting new research targets, and sharing Digital Earth Vision.

(2) A special challenge of 2022 is the unstable global situation that requires flexibility in setting goals and objectives for WG1. Current plans are, but are not limited to:

- Organize specialized events in at least two scientific forums: Digital Earth Summit 2022 (India); Conference Graphicon-2022 (Russia).

- Prepare materials for a planned article on the definition of the Digital Earth.
- Maintain a regular WG1 blog on the ISDE website (as it will be technically possible).
- Encourage active and coordinated participation of WG1 members in advanced R&D.

- Promote ISDE milestone researchers - first of all, "Manual of Digital Earth".

WG1- Science and Technology for Digital Earth

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