Life on land
Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our sustenance and livelihood. Plantlife provides 80 percent of our human diet, and we rely on agriculture as an important economic resource and means of development. Forests account for 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, providing vital habitats for millions of species and important sources for clean air and water; as well as being crucial for combating climate change.
Today we are seeing unprecedented land degradation, and the loss of arable land at 30 to 35 times the historical rate. Drought and desertification are also on the rise each year, amounting to the loss of 12 million hectares and affects poor communities globally. Of the 8,300 animal breeds known, 8 percent are extinct and 22 percent are at risk of extinction.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to conserve and restore the use of terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, drylands, and mountains by 2020. Promoting the sustainable management of forests and halting deforestations is also vital to mitigating the impact of climate change. Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are part of our common heritage.
SDG 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and dry lands, in line with obligations under international agreements
Indicator : 15.1.1 Forest area as a proportion of total land area
Data Providers : (1) Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), MoEF
Indicator : 15.1.2 Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type
Data Providers : (1) DoE, MoEF (2) DoF, MoFL (3) Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), MoEF
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
Indicator : 15.2.1 Progress towards sustainable forest management
Data Providers : (1) Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), MoEF
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
Indicator : 15.3.1 Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area
Data Providers : (1) DoE, MoEF (2) MoL (3) MoA (4) Agriculture Census, BBS, SI
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
Indicator : 15.4.1 Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity
Data Providers : (1) Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), MoEF (2) MoCHTA
Indicator : 15.4.2 Mountain Green Cover Index
Data Providers : (1) Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), MoEF (2) MoCHTA
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
Indicator : 15.5.1 Red List Index
Data Providers : (1) MoEF (2) Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), MoEF
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
Indicator : 15.6.1 Number of countries that have adopted legislative, administrative and policy frameworks to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits
Data Providers : (1) MoEF
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
Indicator : 15.7.1 Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked
Data Providers : (1) Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), MoEF (2) DoE, MoEF
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
Indicator : 15.8.1 Proportion of countries adopting relevant national legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species
Data Providers : (1) MoEF
By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts
Indicator : 15.9.1 Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020
Data Providers : (1) MoEF (2) Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), MoEF
Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems
Indicator : 15.a.1 Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems
Data Providers : (1) ERD (2) FD (3) MoEF (4) MoA (5) UNSTATS
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
Indicator : 15.b.1 Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems
Data Providers : (1) ERD (2) FD (3) MoEF (4) MoA (5) UNSTATS
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
Indicator : 15.c.1 Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked
Data Providers : (1) Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), MoEF (2) DoE, MoEF
Facts and Figures
1.6 billion
Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods.
80%
Forests are home to more than 80 percent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.
2.6 billion
2.6 billion people depend directly on agriculture for a living.
33%
Nature-based climate solutions can contribute about a third of CO2 reductions by 2030.
$125 trillion
The value of ecosystems to human livelihoods and well-being is $125 trillion per year.
60-80%
Mountain regions provide 60-80 percent of the Earth's fresh water.
