SDG 15: Life on Land

Goal: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Global Context

One million species are at risk of extinction. Forests cover 31% of the global land area but are being lost at a rate of 10 million hectares per year. Land degradation affects 3.2 billion people. 75% of the Earth's land surface has been significantly altered by human activity. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022) set a target to protect 30% of land and ocean by 2030.

Key Targets

Key targets include ensuring conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems (15.1), promoting sustainable management of forests (15.2), combating desertification and restoring degraded land (15.3), ensuring conservation of mountain ecosystems (15.4), reducing degradation of natural habitats and halting biodiversity loss (15.5), and integrating ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning and development (15.9).

Business Contribution

Businesses contribute through deforestation-free supply chains, biodiversity impact assessment and mitigation, habitat restoration and conservation programmes, sustainable land management practices, supporting indigenous and local community land rights, and investing in nature-based solutions. The agriculture, forestry, mining, infrastructure, and consumer goods sectors face particular scrutiny on land and biodiversity impacts.

Measurement & Reporting

GRI 304 (Biodiversity), TNFD LEAP approach, SBTN land targets, SASB biodiversity-related metrics, CDP Forests questionnaire, Science Based Targets for Nature.

Primary Sources

UNEP-WCMC, IUCN, WWF Living Planet Report

From ESG Library

• ESG & GRI Reporting Made Simple — SDG mapping and disclosure guidance
• Practical Guide to ESG Integration — Integrating SDGs into business strategy

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Related Topics

• GRI Standards
• UN Global Compact
• Environmental SDGs
• Social SDGs
• Governance SDGs