SDG #15 is to “ Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”
Within SDG #15 are 12 targets, of which we here focus on Target 15.4:
By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development
Target 15.4 has two indicators:
Indicator 15.4.1: Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity
Indicator 15.4.2: (a) Mountain Green Cover Index and (b) proportion of degraded mountain land
The Mountain Green Cover Index measures changes in vegetation in mountain regions. Many countries worldwide have high proportions, exceeding 90% of mountain cover. Several of the Saharan and Sahel countries have the least vegetation on their mountains. Worldwide, the Mountain Green Cover Index stands at 78%. As of 2018, the countries with the largest share of degraded mountain land are Portugal, Tunisia, Eswatini, and Vietnam. All have greater than 4% degradation. The worldwide proportion is less than 2%, a fractional increase since 2015.
The global coverage of protected areas in mountains of key biodiversity areas is 40% as of 2022, a minor increase from 38% from 2015.