Definition of "Life on Land" as Stated in SDG 15

"Life on land," defined in Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15), emphasizes the protection and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, mountains, and wetlands. The goal aims to combat desertification, halt biodiversity loss, and restore degraded land while recognizing the essential ecosystem services provided by healthy environments, such as carbon capture and clean water, critical for human well-being. SDG 15 includes specific targets to be achieved mainly by 2030, including conserving terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, sustainable forest management, restoring degraded land, and protecting mountain ecosystems. It also promotes equitable benefits from genetic resource utilization and addresses invasive species while encouraging integration of ecosystem values into national and local planning. Regions with the most critical SDG 15 status include the Sahel in Africa, Nigeria, Indonesia, Bolivia, Haiti, Brazil (Amazon), and parts of China and India, facing significant deforestation and land degradation. These issues lead to severe environmental consequences, including biodiversity loss and increased vulnerability to climate change. Human populations experience food insecurity, economic disruption, and health risks from degraded environments, with many facing poverty and forced displacement due to these challenges. Nearly one-fifth of global land is degraded, affecting approximately 3.2 billion people.