What exactly is this goal?: terrestrial ecosystems, such as forests and mountains, are the main food sources, provide clean air and water as well as a habitat for millions of species, but they are gravely threatened by the consequences of human activities and climate change. Every year 13 million hectares of forest disappear and 22% of animal species are endangered. Soil degradation is on the increase, hindering the farming activities which are needed to produce enough goods and services for everyone, especially in poorer regions. 50% of agricultural land in the world has been degraded and every year 12 million hectares become no longer arable. If we want to ensure that water and food are to be available to the world's population, long-term solutions must be found to combat desertification and deforestation and to preserve terrestrial habitats. SDG 15 aims to boost the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly by combating deforestation and soil degradation. This goal also aims to take steps to preserve biodiversity by protecting endangered plant and animal species, and by combatting poaching and the trafficking of protected species.

Corporate role: firms can help achieve this goal by eliminating the impact of production activities on ecosystems and terrestrial habitats, by respecting the environmental legislation of the countries in which they operate and by integrating the conservation of biological diversity into their business Further information

How to measure the corporate contribution: some indicators to evaluate corporate actions include: the amount of land (owned, rented or under management which is used for production or mining) degraded or restored; the number of natural habitats protected or restored as a result of company activities; and the number and percentage of areas where the risk to biodiversity has been assessed and monitored.