SDG 15: Life on Land
Goal 15: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, combat desertification, halt biodiversity loss, and reverse land degradation
The land is the foundation of life on Earth; it sustains us and supports the whole planet’s ecosystem. However, human activities have inflicted significant harm, as the ongoing destruction of forests results in the rapid extinction of species, and the insufficient protection of key biodiversity areas threaten the stability of entire ecosystems. To tackle global environmental crises such as climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, as well as desertification, land and soil degradation, drought and deforestation, it is crucial to intensify efforts to protect and restore biodiversity. Meeting environmental commitments is essential to ensure a balanced and sustainable future for both nature and people.
SDG 15 aims to protect forests, combat land degradation, and preserve biodiversity, ensuring that ecosystems remain healthy and resilient.
SDG's targets
Target 15.1: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed.
Target 15.7: 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: 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: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.
Target 15.a: Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems.
Target 15.b: Mobilize 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 15.c: 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.
To achieve SDG 15, NTU contributes to implementation of the following projects: