UN SDG 15: Life on Land
Why nature isn’t just nice to have — it’s a business essential
Why nature isn’t just nice to have — it’s a business essential
Forests. Farmland. Soil. Biodiversity.
They’re not just part of nature — they’re part of the economy.
That’s why UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land matters to businesses, boards, and strategy.
What is SDG 15?
SDG 15 = Protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of land ecosystems.
This includes:
Stopping deforestation and land degradation
Protecting biodiversity and endangered species
Restoring ecosystems and natural habitats
Promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry
Combatting desertification and soil loss
In short: Protect nature — because it protects us.
Why should business care?
Even if your company isn’t in agriculture or forestry, nature still plays a role.
Nature loss is business risk:
Supply chain disruption (e.g. crop failures, deforestation bans)
Reputational damage (e.g. palm oil, soy, beef sourcing)
Legal & compliance risk (e.g. EU Deforestation Regulation)
Rising costs for natural resources
Reduced resilience to floods, fires, and droughts
Nature is also opportunity:
Circular design
Regenerative supply chains
Green infrastructure and innovation
Biodiversity credits and carbon markets
What should boards be asking?
Do we rely on land-based resources? (wood, crops, minerals, etc.)
Are we exposed to biodiversity or deforestation risk?
Are our suppliers and partners sustainable?
Are we investing in regeneration, not just offsetting?
How are we including nature in our ESG and climate strategy?
What can businesses do?
Map and assess nature-related risks and dependencies
Join science-based frameworks like TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures)
Switch to certified sustainable materials (e.g. FSC, Rainforest Alliance)
Eliminate deforestation-linked products from your supply chain
Invest in regenerative agriculture or land restoration
Support nature-positive innovation (e.g. plant-based, biodegradable)
A real-world example:
A fashion brand partnered with regenerative cotton farms.
They cut water use, boosted biodiversity, improved traceability – and gained customer trust.
In short:
✅ Healthy land = healthy business
✅ Nature is a supply chain issue, not just a CSR one
✅ Boards must include nature in decision-making
❌ Delaying action = legal, financial, and brand risk