The world faces a triple crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, leading to escalating trends of forest loss, land degradation, and the extinction of species. Agricultural expansion, urbanization, deforestation, and climate change are direct drivers of land degradation, threatening the lives of 1.3 billion people.
VISIT
SDGs STATSWhy it matters?
Forests cover nearly 31% of the world and are crucial for biodiversity, climate regulation, and livelihoods. However, biodiversity is declining rapidly, with one-fifth of Earth's land area degraded, affecting ecosystems and human well-being. Loss of forests leads to increased carbon emissions, diminished biodiversity, and adverse impacts on health, including the emergence of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19.
Achievements
Protected areas in key biodiversity areas (KBAs) have nearly doubled since 2000, now covering about 8% of terrestrial and 3% of Earth's total surface.