Inspection Report: Life on Land – Progress and Challenges for SDG 15
- OUS Academy in Switzerland
- Aug 28
- 6 min read
The world today faces one of its most urgent challenges: protecting life on land. Forests, biodiversity, and ecosystems form the backbone of our environment, supporting human societies, economies, and cultures. They regulate water, provide food, capture carbon, and safeguard health. Yet the evidence this week shows that despite ongoing efforts, progress remains slow and fragile. As a private and independent inspection body, PINO Switzerland reviews the current situation under the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land. This report provides an independent overview of where things stand, what has improved, and what still requires urgent intervention.
1. Forests – The Green Shield Under Threat
Forests cover about one-third of the Earth’s surface. They are not only a source of raw materials but also a living shield that protects soil, water, and air quality. According to the most recent inspections, forest cover worldwide continues to shrink. The pace of deforestation has slowed in some areas thanks to stricter policies and community efforts, yet the overall decline remains steady.
Between the early 2000s and 2020s, global forest cover dropped from nearly 32% to just over 31%. On paper this seems small, but in reality it means millions of hectares of forest lost—an area larger than entire countries. For local communities, these numbers translate into vanishing livelihoods, less access to clean water, and increased vulnerability to floods and soil erosion.
There is progress to note: more areas have been declared as protected forests, and sustainable forest management practices are gaining acceptance. Independent auditors confirm that timber companies in certain regions are beginning to follow strict harvesting standards. However, illegal logging and weak enforcement continue to undermine these achievements. Unless stronger monitoring and accountability are introduced, the protective role of forests will keep eroding.
2. Biodiversity – Species on the Edge
Biodiversity is often described as the living wealth of the planet. It includes every plant, insect, animal, and microorganism that contributes to the health of ecosystems. Inspection findings this week confirm a deeply concerning reality: biodiversity is in steep decline. More species are moving closer to extinction, and the survival of many others is uncertain.
The global index used to measure extinction risk has worsened consistently since the early 1990s. In practical terms, this means that many mammals, birds, amphibians, and insects are facing shrinking habitats, poisoned water sources, and fewer opportunities to reproduce. Each species lost represents not just the disappearance of life but also the breakdown of ecological systems that humans depend upon.
For example, pollinators such as bees and butterflies are essential for agriculture, yet their populations are collapsing in many regions. Amphibians, which serve as early indicators of environmental change, are disappearing at alarming rates. Large mammals like elephants and tigers continue to face poaching, while smaller and less famous species vanish silently. Without urgent measures, the chain of biodiversity will continue to break.
3. Land Degradation and Desertification – Silent but Spreading
Another key focus under SDG 15 is land degradation. Healthy land is the foundation of agriculture, food security, and human settlement. Yet inspections show that a large share of the world’s land is now degraded. Soil erosion, desertification, chemical pollution, and over-farming are stripping the earth of its fertility.
Desertification—where once fertile areas turn into dry, lifeless soil—is advancing in many regions. This is not only an environmental problem but also a social and economic one. Farmers lose their harvests, families lose their homes, and entire communities are forced to migrate. It becomes a cycle where environmental damage fuels poverty, and poverty in turn fuels more environmental stress.
Protected areas, once seen as strongholds of resilience, are also under pressure. While the coverage of protected land has increased globally, the pace of expansion has slowed in recent years. At the same time, enforcement remains weak. Declaring land as protected does not always stop illegal mining, over-grazing, or unplanned urban growth. Inspection teams emphasize that protection on paper must be matched with protection in practice.
4. Policy and Governance – Building the Right Frameworks
One of the strongest tools for achieving progress under SDG 15 is effective governance. Many countries have introduced policies on forest protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land use. Financial resources have also been pledged. Yet, according to inspection findings, there is a significant gap between commitments and results.
Financial mobilization is still below the required level. Land restoration projects need billions of dollars annually, but current flows cover only a fraction. Meanwhile, biodiversity laws often lack enforcement mechanisms. Communities living close to forests and biodiversity hotspots frequently report that while policies exist, the resources to implement them locally are insufficient.
Nevertheless, there are signs of improvement. Some governments are integrating biodiversity values into their planning processes. This means that development projects, infrastructure investments, and industrial plans are now being assessed for their environmental impacts. This kind of integration is a step in the right direction, but it must become standard practice worldwide rather than an exception.
5. Global Progress – Still Off Track
Perhaps the most sobering inspection result this week is the confirmation that SDG 15, along with most of the other Sustainable Development Goals, is off track for achievement by 2030. Less than one-fifth of all targets are moving in the right direction. For SDG 15, the pace of progress is particularly slow.
In some areas there has been no progress since 2015, and in others, the situation has worsened. Species extinction risks are climbing. Forests are still shrinking. Land degradation continues almost unchecked in many regions. The urgency of the 2030 deadline makes these findings even more pressing. Without significant acceleration, the world risks missing the targets entirely.
6. Independent Inspection Body Perspective
As a private, volunteer-based inspection and certification body, PINO Switzerland approaches SDG 15 with a strong emphasis on accountability and transparency. Our review underlines several key lessons:
Monitoring is not enough – Reporting must be matched with enforcement. It is not enough to declare land as protected; measures must be taken to ensure compliance.
Financial accountability is critical – Promises of funding need to be translated into measurable disbursements. Communities and projects must see resources reach the ground.
Local involvement is vital – The most successful conservation initiatives are those where local people benefit directly from protecting land and biodiversity.
Data quality matters – Many countries still lack up-to-date data on forests, biodiversity, and land degradation. This makes it difficult to measure real progress and design effective solutions.
Urgency cannot be delayed – With less than five years left until 2030, the world must act now. The pace of policy adoption and project implementation must double, if not triple.
7. Recommendations for Immediate Action
Based on current inspection findings, PINO Switzerland issues the following recommendations:
Expand forest restoration projects: Commit to restoring at least a billion hectares of degraded land globally, focusing on regions with the highest loss.
Strengthen enforcement: Introduce independent audits for protected areas to ensure laws are not only written but also applied.
Support biodiversity corridors: Connect isolated protected areas to allow species migration and adaptation.
Increase community-based incentives: Provide financial and social benefits to local populations that protect forests, wetlands, and biodiversity hotspots.
Integrate environmental accounting: Governments and private companies should include ecosystem values in their financial and development plans.
Enhance international cooperation: Share inspection results, data, and best practices to build a stronger global response.
8. Conclusion
Life on land is more than just a target; it is the foundation of human survival. Forests, soil, animals, and plants are not optional luxuries—they are the systems that sustain food, water, and climate stability. The findings of this week’s inspection confirm both progress and setbacks. While there are positive stories of reforestation and improved governance, the overall trend remains concerning.
The message is clear: the world must act faster, stronger, and with greater coordination to secure SDG 15. Independent inspection and certification bodies like PINO Switzerland play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability. Through objective assessment, professional standards, and voluntary certifications, the path to protecting life on land can be guided with greater clarity.
Our responsibility as inspectors is not only to record what has been done but also to highlight what remains undone. SDG 15 requires urgent restoration of land, enforcement of conservation laws, and mobilization of financial and social capital. Only then can the vision of sustainable life on land become a reality.
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