The United Nations SDG 15: Life on Land

The United Nations put together a list of 17 goals in 2015, related to global development and to be achieved by 2030. These work as a blueprint for a better, sustainable future for all and are collectively called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The fifteenth SDG is Life on Land and has in its objective the protection, restoration and promotion of the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems as well as sustainable management of forests, combating desertification, halting /reversing land degradation and putting an end to the loss in biodiversity. Currently, it is estimated that almost 90% of global deforestation is due to agricultural expansion. However, efforts across the globe are being made to reverse the effects. For instance, nearly half of the freshwater, terrestrial, mountains and key biodiversity areas are protected and this has been gradually increasing over the years.

Indeed, it is a long road ahead and to understand this we need to take a closer look at the sub-goals under the SDG. 

1. Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems

2. End deforestation and restore degraded forests

3. End desertification and restore degraded land

4. Ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems

5. Protect biodiversity and natural habitats

6. Promote access to genetic resources and fair sharing of the benefits

7. Eliminate poaching and trafficking of protected species

8. Prevent invasive alien species on land and in water ecosystems

9. Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity in governmental planning

10. Increase financial resources to conserve and sustainably use ecosystem and biodiversity

11. Finance and incentivise sustainable forest management

12. Combat global poaching and trafficking

These sub-goals provide an overview of the multifaceted areas that need to be worked upon.

Apart from these, there is a need to protect biodiversity and eliminate actions or behaviours that harm biodiversity. The fulfilment of this SDG goal would especially be crucial as this would help in fulfilling other SDGs. Some of the SDGs that would directly be affected include- climate action, life underwater, economic growth, etc.

Across the globe, individuals, organisations, and governments need to base their strategies on the goals and sub-goals to bring in a focussed approach to eradicating social evils in specific communities.

In these articles, we will discuss each of the SDGs in detail to understand the role of countries and stakeholders to fulfil these Sustainable Development Goals.