Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.

"Forests cover 30 per cent of the Earth’s surface and in addition to providing food security and shelter, forests are key to combating climate change, protecting biodiversity and the homes of the indigenous population. Thirteen million hectares of forests are being lost every year while the persistent degradation of drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares".

Target 15.1: Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

Indicator 15.1.1 is forest area as a proportion of total land area.

Indicator 15.1.2 is the proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.

Target 15.2: End deforestation and restore degraded forests.

Indicator 15.2.1 is progress towards sustainable forest management.

Target 15.3: End desertification and restore degraded land.

Indicator 15.3.1 is the proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.

Target 15.4: Ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems.

Indicator 15.4.1 is coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity.

Indicator 15.4.2 is the Mountain Green Cover Index.

Target 15.5: Protect biodiversity and natural habitats.

Indicator 15.5.1 is the Red List Index.

Target 15.6: Protect access to genetic resources and fair sharing of the benefits.

Indicator 15.6.1 is the number of countries that have adopted legislative, administrative and policy frameworks to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits.

Target 15.7: Eliminate poaching and trafficking of protected species.

Indicator 15.7.1 is the proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked.

Target 15.8: Prevent invasive alien species on land and in water ecosystems.

Indicator 15.8.1 is the proportion of countries adopting relevant national legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species.

Target 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity in governmental planning.

Indicator 15.9.1 is progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020.

Target 15.A: Increase financial resources to conserve and sustainably use ecosystem and biodiversity.

Indicator 15.A.1 is the official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Target 15.B: Finance and incentivize sustainable forest management.

Indicator 15.B.1 is the official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Target 15.C: Combat global poaching and trafficking.

Indicator 15.C.1 is the proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked. Go to goal 16.