A look at the big picture - Goal 15!

A look at the big picture

The UN sustainable development goals are a united global call to action by all countries that promote prosperity while protecting the planet. Of the 17 goals, goal number 15 is dedicated to conserving life on land. Its key objective is to protect and restore ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation, in an effort to stop biodiversity loss. On 1 January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development-  adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. So, where are we now and how are we tracking, as a global community against goal 15?

Worldwide human activity has profoundly altered most land-dwelling ecosystems including approximately 40,000 species that have been reported as at risk of extinction in the coming decades. An area the size of Iceland is being destroyed every year and more than half of the key biodiversity areas remain unprotected which is devastating.

The UN sustainable goals report written in 2022 outlines the areas where the 17 goals are making headway and areas that are lagging behind. It is a collaborative effort between the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and more than 50 international and regional agencies, based on millions of data points provided by over 200 countries and areas. Unfortunately, the report paints a particularly gloomy picture. Using the latest available data and estimates, the report reveals that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is in serious jeopardy due to multiple and intersecting crises, in particular the occurrence of COVID-19, climate change and conflict have seriously impacted the success of the development goals. In addition, the report outlines other variables such inconsistent monitoring and reporting across countries is making it difficult to get an accurate read of the current situation. 

To stay ahead of these crises, the report highlights the need to understand where we are and where we are headed, which requires significant investment in data and information infrastructure and therefore funding statistical development is a priority for national governments and the international community.

The report highlights the following grim statistics:

•  Forest cover fell from 31.9 per cent of total land area in 2000 to 31.2 per cent in 2020, a net loss of almost 100 million hectares.
• We are still clearing at an alarming rate. 10 million hectares are cleared every year. That is around the same size as Iceland.
•  Agricultural expansion is driving almost 90 per cent of global deforestation, including 49.6 per cent from expansion for cropland and 38.5 per cent for livestock grazing. Our unquenchable thirst for meat and the challenges of feeding a growing population is having devastating consequences.
•  Human activities such as logging and farming are encroaching upon habitats, putting about 20 percent of reptile species at risk.

However, there are some great positive outcomes too:

•  More and more countries are establishing national targets for incorporating ecosystem and biodiversity values into their accounting and reporting systems. By January 2022, 37 percent of countries assessed are on track to achieve or exceed their national targets.
•  Between 2010 and 2021, the area of forest land under certification schemes increased by 35 per cent. The proportion of forests under a long-term management plan increased from 54 per cent in 2010 to 58 per cent in 2020.
•  More than 700 million hectares of forest (18 per cent) were in legally established protected areas in 2020.
•  Globally, the mean percentage coverage of key biodiversity areas increased from over one quarter in 2000 to nearly one half in 2021.
•  Many environmental organisations and individuals are already contributing greatly to conserving life on land, however more is drastically needed.  Collectively we need to increase our capacity to protect and restore our natural habitats so that our ecosystems can recover and once again thrive. 

On an individual level you can:

•  Volunteer time with a local Landcare group, Bushcare group, Friends of group or environmental group to contribute to restoration of habitats, species recovery and sustainable land management in a practical and hands-on approach. Acting locally absolutely impacts global outcomes. 
•  Donate money to an environmental cause that is taking practical action to preserve biodiversity, enhance ecosystems, implement sustainable farming practices or campaigning for change. 
•  Reduce consumption. Think about single use plastic consumption, reducing meat intake, fast fashion and clothing waste.
•  Eat a locally-based diet that is sustainably sourced.
•  Only take part in ecotourism opportunities that are responsibly and ethically run.
•  Remember that every time you spend money, you are voting with your dollars. Support ethical businesses that have made a commitment to contribute to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
•  Follow the money trail, it has power. Check the ethics and specifics of where your bank and superannuation providers are investing your money.
•  Share the message of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and protect your sense of hope. One thing is for certain, if we all give up, we sure will be in strife. 

For more information on the UN Sustainable development goals head to: (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

To read the 2022 report head to: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2021/

For the goal 15 scorecard: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal15