SDG Target #15.9

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 15.9:

By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

Target 15.9 has one indicator:

  • Indicator 15.9.1: (a) Number of countries that have established national targets in accordance with or similar to Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 in their national biodiversity strategy and action plans and the progress reported towards these targets; and (b) integration of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems, defined as implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 was part of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It included the 20 Aichi Targets. The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting is a framework used by the UN. This method allows for us to see both the impact on the economy from the environment and vice versa. It's also a system to track changes in the health of the environment.

The requisite planning as called for by Target 15.9 upon countries draws on article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This asks parties to develop national strategies for conservation.

For national adoption of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting, there’s a split across the globe as of 2022. There's also little uniformity or pattern between those who’ve implemented the framework or not.