Many of the targets are not quantifiable. Forest area is a primary indicator for preserving ecosystems, and includes both conserving existing forest and re-establishing forest areas – these are summed up in the indicator on total forest area. We have also included a pure conservation indicator – the biodiversity measure.
The needed combination of efforts in development, growth, and restoration is a challenge in developing countries, but developed countries also face challenges in many areas of SDG15. The regions are classified according to expected similarities in economic development rather than geography and topography. In particular, BRISE is a very diverse region that contains both huge boreal forests in the north and rainforest around the equator, as well as urban and densely populated areas. Although there are large geographical variations within the regions, our assessment is based on average regional values.
BRISE and ROW achieve low scores on all indicators and are rated red. China, OECD, and USA are likely to achieve some targets and not others, and are given a yellow rating.
Understanding the score
Five regions: USA, OECD (excl. USA), China, BRISE (Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and 10 other emerging economies), ROW (rest of the world).
Green light: Goal likely to be reached.
Orange light: Goal not likely to be reached, but more than 50% of the gap between today's status and the goal is likely to be closed.
Red light: Goal not likely to be reached, and less than 50% of the gap between today's status and the goal is likely to be closed.