SDG 15 revolves around twelve targets designed to safeguard the diversity and health of life on land. From conserving forests and freshwater ecosystems to halting land degradation, desertification, and species loss, these targets set the roadmap for a thriving planet. Three of these targets focus on implementation: mobilizing financial resources, incentivizing sustainable forest management, and combating poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Progress is tracked through fourteen indicators, ranging from forest coverage and the condition of critical ecosystems, to the number of threatened species and the resources dedicated to conservation. Together, these indicators reveal whether we are truly protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing our terrestrial ecosystems—or letting the foundation of life on land erode.
Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|
| 15.1 Conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems by 2020 | 15.1.1 Forest area as a proportion of total land area 15.1.2 Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type |
| 15.2 Promote sustainable management of all forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and increase afforestation by 2020 | 15.2.1 Progress towards sustainable forest management |
| 15.3 Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil and achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030 | 15.3.1 Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area |
| 15.4 Ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity by 2030 | 15.4.1 Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity 15.4.2 (a) Mountain Green Cover Index and (b) proportion of degraded mountain land |
| 15.5 Take urgent action to reduce natural habitat degradation, halt biodiversity loss, protect and prevent extinction of species by 2020 | 15.5.1 Red List Index (measures species extinction risk; details not shown in reference) |
| 15.6 Promote fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources and promote appropriate access | 15.6.1 Number of countries with frameworks to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits |
| 15.7 End poaching and trafficking of protected species and address both supply and demand for illegal wildlife products | 15.7.1 Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked |
| 15.8 Prevent introduction and reduce impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems by 2020 | 15.8.1 Proportion of countries adopting relevant legislation and resources against invasive species |
| 15.9 Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning, development, and accounting by 2020 | 15.9.1 (a) Number of countries with national biodiversity targets and relevant action plans; (b) biodiversity in national accounting |
| 15.a Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation | 15.a.1 (a) Official development assistance and (b) revenue/finance mobilized for biodiversity from economic instruments |
| 15.b Mobilize significant resources to finance sustainable forest management, and provide incentives, especially for developing countries | 15.b.1 (a) Official development assistance and (b) revenue/finance mobilized for biodiversity from economic instruments |
| 15.c Enhance global support to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing local community capacity | 15.c.1 Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked (same as 15.7.1) |
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, faces several significant barriers. One major challenge is the continued deforestation and land degradation occurring worldwide, which leads to loss of biodiversity and essential ecosystem services.
This degradation threatens the livelihoods of millions and accelerates climate change impacts. Weak enforcement of environmental laws, uncoordinated policies, and governance failures further hinder progress, as many governments prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability.
Financial constraints also pose a major obstacle, especially in developing countries, limiting the scale and effectiveness of species preservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable land management programs. Limited data availability and technological gaps reduce the ability to monitor changes and make informed decisions. In addition, complex supply chains and inadequate corporate sustainability efforts complicate the mitigation of ecological impacts in production systems.
Social and cultural factors, including lack of awareness, technical capacity, and integration of indigenous knowledge, slow the adoption of sustainable practices. Conflicting land uses, such as agriculture expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development, create trade-offs that are difficult to manage in policy and planning.
Climate change exacerbates these issues by altering ecosystems and increasing vulnerability to degradation. Overcoming these intertwined barriers requires integrated, well-funded, collaborative, and science-based approaches for meaningful progress by 2030.
The way forward to achieve SDG 14 (Life Below Water) entails a comprehensive set of strategic actions and policy recommendations:
Rehabilitate degraded forests, grasslands, and drylands through afforestation, reforestation, and soil regeneration programs.
Embed ecosystem protection into national policies, infrastructure development, and urban expansion strategies to prevent habitat loss.
Enforce anti-poaching regulations and expand protected areas to curb illegal trade and safeguard endangered species.
Implement regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and sustainable grazing to combat soil erosion and desertification.
Secure land tenure rights and include traditional ecological knowledge in conservation and restoration efforts.
Regulate and monitor agricultural and timber supply chains to eliminate illegal logging and land conversion.
Ensuring the health and vitality of our planet’s terrestrial ecosystems is a responsibility that belongs to everyone. From policymakers crafting regulations to individuals making sustainable choices in their daily lives, collective action is vital.
Protecting biodiversity, restoring degraded lands, and sustainably managing natural resources require cooperation across communities, industries, and nations. By sharing knowledge, resources, and committing to unified goals, we can create resilient ecosystems, support livelihoods, and preserve the natural world for future generations.
This shared responsibility is crucial for a sustainable and thriving planet.
Dr. Somnath Hazra
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SDG 15, Life on Land, is a global goal focused on protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing forests, grasslands, wetlands, mountains, and other terrestrial ecosystems. It aims to stop biodiversity loss, fight desertification, and ensure that nature continues to support life—ours included.
Because healthy land ecosystems give us clean air, food, water, medicine, and climate balance. When forests are cut down, soil erodes, or species go extinct, our health, livelihoods, and the planet's stability are at risk. SDG 15 helps protect the foundation of life itself.
Some progress includes: • Millions of hectares of forests restored in countries like China, India, and Ethiopia • Expansion of protected areas globally • Global agreements on tackling illegal wildlife trade However, challenges remain—especially with deforestation, species loss, and weak enforcement of environmental laws.
"Life on Land" refers to the diverse ecosystems and species that exist on Earth’s surface—forests, mountains, deserts, wetlands, and all the plants and animals living there. SDG 15 is about preserving this richness of life so it can continue to support people and the planet.
We can help by: • Reducing consumption of products that drive deforestation • Supporting conservation organizations • Respecting and learning from Indigenous communities • Volunteering in local reforestation or wildlife programs • Pushing for policies that protect natural habitats
