15. Life on Land

SDG 15

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

TARGETS

15.1 - By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands.

15.2 - By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests.

15.3 - By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods.

15.4 - By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity.

15.5 - Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

15.6 - Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

15.7 - Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna.

15.8 - By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems.

15.9 - By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, and in poverty reduction strategies.

15.A - Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems.

PROGRESS OF GOAL 15 IN 2018

Protection of forest and terrestrial ecosystems is on the rise, and forest loss has slowed. That said, other facets of terrestrial conservation continue to demand accelerated action to protect biodiversity, land productivity and curtail the loss of species.

The Earth’s forest areas continue to shrink, down from 4.1 billion hectares in 2000 to about 4 billion hectares in 2015.
Since 1993, the global Red List Index of threatened species indicating an alarming trend in the decline of mammals, birds, amphibians, corals and cycads. The primary drivers of this assault on biodiversity are habitat loss from unsustainable agriculture, deforestation, unsustainable harvest and trade, and invasive alien species.
Illicit trafficking of wildlife continues to thwart conservation efforts, with nearly 7,000 species of animals and plants reported in illegal trade involving 120 countries.
In 2016, bilateral ODA in support of biodiversity totalled $7 billion, a decrease of 21 per cent in real terms from 2015.

TOURISM FOR SDGs

Strengthening Community Tourism in the Sierra Gorda:

Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda (GESG) was founded in 1987 by Martha Ruiz Corzo and her family with local citizens to save the forests.
Environmental education, skills for a conservation oriented economy, forest and soil regeneration, payment for environmental services, and community owned and operated tourism.

Las Terrazas Complex:

Cuba’s Las Terrazas Complex spans 5,000 hectares in the eastern reaches of The Sierra Del Rosario UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Was created in 1994 as a tourism-based sustainable rural development project, giving continuity to the country’s Integral Development Plan, initiated in 1968.
It try to ensure social and environmental sustainability through responsible tourism.

en example:

Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa

by Valeria Mariani

“A rare opportunity to go where the safari tourists don't, helping a dedicated expert team carry out some of the most exciting conservation work in Africa.”

We’re the only South African conservation volunteer operator working in conjunction with WWF and the Wildlands Conservation Trust.

This two week volunteer experience allows you opportunity to learn and develop new skills as well as getting up close to the endangered animals of South Africa with support a permanent team of conservation professionals.

You’ll be immersed in all forms of wildlife conservation including admin tasks (once a week), planning processes and strategies for moving wildlife and supporting local conservation groups. Your time in South Africa will be extremely well spent and your efforts will be rewarded not only by watching wildlife from a VIP position but also by helping to make a genuine difference to the team's conservation efforts.

You can find all details by clicking the link to Responsible travel

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