Where We Are
Forests, biodiversity, and land are under growing pressure from human activity. As of 2024, forest loss continues at alarming rates, with over 10 million hectares disappearing annually. Only 15% of land globally is under protection, while desertification and soil degradation threaten the livelihoods of over 3.2 billion people. Biodiversity is declining, with one million species at risk of extinction. Achieving Goal 15 requires urgent restoration of degraded land, halting deforestation, and conserving biodiversity across ecosystems.
The Pact for the Future highlights the urgent need to reverse biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems as a cornerstone of sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of strengthening multilateral efforts to protect natural habitats and ensure the fair use of natural resources.
SDG 15 in Numbers
- Soil degradation affects nearly one-third of the Earth’s land area, impacting food security for billions.
- Only 15% of land is currently under protection, far from the 30% goal by 2030.
- More than 1 million species face extinction, many within decades, due to human activities.
- Over 12 million hectares of forest are lost every year, primarily due to agricultural expansion.
“The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change, and prevent mass extinction.”
– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General (22 April 2025)
