Goal 15: Life on Land

Why it matters: Plants provide 80% of our human diet, and we rely on agriculture as an important economic resource and means of development. But thanks to climate change, natural disasters such as drought and other factors, today there is an unprecedented amount of land degradation which is resulting in the loss of arable land at 30 to 35 times the historical rate. This not only affects man and his arable land but also the creatures who inhabit the planet, Indeed, of the 8,300 animal breeds known, 8% have gone extinct and 22% currently face a high risk of extinction.

Target 15.1: Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems

By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Target 15.2: End deforestation and restore degraded forests

By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

Target 15.3: End desertification and restore degraded land

By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

Target 15.4: Ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems

By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development.

Target 15.5: Protect biodiversity and natural habitats

Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

Target 15.6: Promote access to genetic resources and fair sharing of benefits

Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed.

Target 15.7: Eliminate poaching and trafficking of protected species

Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.

Target 15.8: Prevent invasie alien species on land and in water ecosystems

By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.

Target 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity in governmental planning

By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.

Target 15A: Increase financial resources to conserve and sustainably use ecosystems and biodiversity

Mobilise and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems.

Target 15B: Finance and incentivize sustainable forest management

Mobilise significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

Target 15C: Combat global poaching and trafficking

Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities.