Achievement of SDGS globally in biodiversity conservation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by using green energy and maintaining forest cover

Abstract

The global partnership for sustainable development is well-positioned to combat climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on climate, oceans, marine resources, forests, biodiversity, and land degradation. This study has assessed and evaluated the status of global forests and biodiversity, greenhouse emissions, and global energy perspectives, synthesizing track progress on goals 13 and 15 targets focusing on climate change trends, forest cover, and biodiversity status. Review and analysis of global forest resource and biodiversity assessment, GHG emission inventories, verification of CO2 measurement, statistical review of world energy and renewables contributions to reduction of GHG emissions, and applying quantitative data on environmental change to identify impact and implications showed that the targeted SDG goals are able to address the issues needed to build climate resilience: maintaining forests and biodiversity, achieving zero emissions, and adopting renewables. Forests, which cover 31% of the world's land surface, provide habitat, clean air and water, and help mitigate climate change. However, 13 million hectares are lost each year, resulting in the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares. The world's tree stock has decreased slightly due to a decrease in forest area, with 8% of 8,300 animal breeds extinct and 22% on the verge of extinction, highlighting the importance of sustainable ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. Global GHG emissions are expected to rise slightly in 2021 to 8 GtCO2e, comparable to or exceeding 2019 levels, and global temperatures could rise over 1.5°C by 2030. Human activities, including greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to global warming, with surface temperatures rising 1.1°C between 2011 and 2020. Mitigation policies expand, but warming may exceed 1.5°C by 2030. The world faces challenges in achieving climate change goals, necessitating increased ambition and implementation. Integrating climate action and sustainable development using renewable energy sources like bioenergy, solar, geothermal, hydropower, and wind is the most effective approach.