ABOUT THE GOAL

A flourishing life on land is the foundation for our life on this planet.We are all part of the planet’s ecosystem and we have caused severe damage to it through deforestation, loss of natural habitats and land degradation. Promoting a sustainable use of our ecosystems and preserving biodiversity is not a cause. It is the key to our own survival.

Goal 15

Goal 15: Life on Land

12 Targets

The specific, measurable commitments set under this goal. Each one turns a big ambition into something countries, companies and communities can track.

Our Targets
12

319 Events

Gatherings, campaigns and meetings that bring people together around this goal, from local community days to global summits.

Upcoming events
319

38 Publications

Reports, research and guides that explain the progress made so far and what still needs to change.

Our publications
38

1927 Actions

Everyday steps people around the world have taken for this goal. Small actions add up when millions of people take them together.

Take action
1,927

The targets

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
15.6
PROMOTE ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES AND FAIR SHARING OF THE BENEFITS
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.
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.
15.8
PREVENT INVASIVE 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.
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.
15.a
INCREASE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO CONSERVE AND SUSTAINABLY USE ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY
Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems.
15.b
FINANCE AND INCENTIVIZE SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT
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.
15.c
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.

How can you contribute to this goal


Action 01

Find a Goal 15 charity you want to support

Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!

Photo: Pacific Southwest Region 5, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action01 / 10
Action 02

Reduce your use of paper

Avoid printing and substitute it with electronic devices or carriers.

Photo: My Alchemist, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action02 / 10
Action 03

Don’t shop for pets!

Visit your local animal shelter and adopt an animal there.

Photo: Nhandler, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action03 / 10
Action 04

Don’t buy products tested on animals: Check the labels on the products you buy

Photo: Cheekbone, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action04 / 10
Action 05

Recycle paper, glass, plastic, metal and old electronics

Photo: Terence Ong, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action05 / 10
Action 06

Compost

Composting food scraps can reduce climate impact while also recycling nutrients.

Photo: Ksd5, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action06 / 10
Action 07

Clean your local parks and forests

Organise your own or join an existing clean-up event to sustain the ecosystem of your local green space.

Photo: vastateparksstaff, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action07 / 10
Action 08

Don’t use pesticides

To protect and sustain the quality of soil, don’t use chemicals while growing plants.

Photo: Tarunpant, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action08 / 10
Action 09

Volunteer with street animal organizations or shelters: Help to sustain diversity and save lives of animal species by volunteering in organizations helping these pets as well as endangered species

Photo: Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action09 / 10
Action 10

Stay informed

Follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.

Photo: Roberto Ferrari from Campogalliano (Modena), Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action10 / 10

How can you contribute to this goal

0110

Keep scrolling to see each action

01
110

Find a Goal 15 charity you want to support

Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!

Photo: Pacific Southwest Region 5, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
02
210

Reduce your use of paper

Avoid printing and substitute it with electronic devices or carriers.

Photo: My Alchemist, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
03
310

Don’t shop for pets!

Visit your local animal shelter and adopt an animal there.

Photo: Nhandler, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
04
410

Don’t buy products tested on animals: Check the labels on the products you buy

Photo: Cheekbone, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
05
510

Recycle paper, glass, plastic, metal and old electronics

Photo: Terence Ong, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
06
610

Compost

Composting food scraps can reduce climate impact while also recycling nutrients.

Photo: Ksd5, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
07
710

Clean your local parks and forests

Organise your own or join an existing clean-up event to sustain the ecosystem of your local green space.

Photo: vastateparksstaff, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
08
810

Don’t use pesticides

To protect and sustain the quality of soil, don’t use chemicals while growing plants.

Photo: Tarunpant, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
09
910

Volunteer with street animal organizations or shelters: Help to sustain diversity and save lives of animal species by volunteering in organizations helping these pets as well as endangered species

Photo: Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
10
1010

Stay informed

Follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.

Photo: Roberto Ferrari from Campogalliano (Modena), Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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