Goal 15 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focuses on Life on Land, highlighting the importance of protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
It emphasises the need to manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt land degradation, and reverse biodiversity loss.
What does UN SDG 15 include?
The targets outlined under Goal 15 provide a roadmap for action to protect and restore life on land:
Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems (Target 15.1): Efforts should be made to ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems, in line with international agreements.
End deforestation and restore degraded forests (Target 15.2): By promoting sustainable forest management, halting deforestation, and restoring degraded forests, countries can safeguard vital ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Combat desertification and restore degraded land (Target 15.3): Action is needed to combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030.
Ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems (Target 15.4): Conservation efforts should focus on preserving mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity to enhance their capacity to provide essential benefits for sustainable development.
Protect biodiversity and natural habitats (Target 15.5): Urgent action is required to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect threatened species from extinction.
Promote access to genetic resources and fair sharing of benefits (Target 15.6): Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources should be promoted, in accordance with international agreements.
Eliminate poaching and trafficking of protected species (Target 15.7): Urgent measures are needed to end the illegal poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna, addressing both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.
Prevent invasive alien species (Target 15.8): By implementing measures to prevent the introduction and reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems, countries can protect native biodiversity.
Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values in planning (Target 15.9): Efforts should be made to integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning processes, development strategies, and poverty reduction initiatives.
Increase financial resources for conservation (Target 15.A): Mobilising financial resources from all sources is essential to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems effectively.
Finance sustainable forest management (Target 15.B): Significant resources should be mobilised to finance sustainable forest management, providing incentives for conservation and reforestation efforts.
Combat global poaching and trafficking (Target 15.C): Enhancing global support to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, and increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities, is crucial for biodiversity conservation.
By implementing these targets and taking coordinated action, stakeholders can work towards conserving terrestrial ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring the sustainable use of land for present and future generations, the United Nations said.
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