The Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) – Life on Land– has taken center stage in Chile. Changing weather patterns have impacted Chile’s unique and rugged landscapes. Despite economic growth in Chile due to mining, agriculture and logging, the environmental impacts have become rapidly apparent. The retreat of the Great Andean Glaciers and the simultaneous destruction of the ancient Araucania region by forest fires and logging have forced the Chilean ecosystem to reach instability and increasing environmental pressure. The Chilean government is relying on a major joint indigenous and international cooperation to carry out national strategies to quell the escalating pressures on Chilean ecosystems and address SDG 15 in Chile.

The Crucial Nature of SDG 15 in Chile 

The U.N.’s SDG 15 looks to tackle biodiversity loss and degraded ecosystems, and promote the sustainable use of ecosystems across the globe. Chile is home to more than 40% of the world’s temperate rainforests, Ancient Araucania regions, unique species of flora and fauna and one of the largest glacier networks across the Southern Hemisphere. For the nation and the wider network of interconnected peoples and systems, there is a hard-line policy change vital to promote a healthy change.  

The National Strategy on Climate Change and Vegetation Resources (ENCCRV), a government initiative focused on restoring landscapes and promoting inclusive environmental governance, is the beating heart of Chile’s SDG 15 policies.

The Ancient Araucania Forest: The Indigenous Devotion

The legendary Araucania region represents the core of the battle taking place, to promote the SDG 15 strategy, spearheaded by the indigenous Mapuche and Huilliche communities. The indigenous people have been the one consistent organization advocating for change. Now, with a dedicated United Nations agenda, the indigenous, national organizations and international initiatives have joined forces to stabilize the region. 

Through the ENCCRV and REDD+ (U.N. Framework), Chile has supported 861 community-led projects, which have helped restore more than 14,000 hectares of native forest since 2020. Due to the historic tensions between the indigenous and Chilean government, these reforestation projects vitally serve as a cultural revival, and a symbol of diplomacy regarding land rights. 

On Huapi Island, Mapuche-Huilliche leaders are replanting native tree species like the Laurelia sempervirens on a massive scale to continue the stabilization of the ecosystem and reestablish the culturally significant landscapes that define the region. Much of the ecological knowledge that is required for the planting, cultivation, and maintenance of the native species is passed down via generations of Mapuche-Huilliche families. In 2016, the establishment of the ENCCRV, to support SDG 15 in Chile, incorporated indigenous ecological knowledge within the frameworks of national environmental policy, a signifier of the cultural shift taking place within Chile, regarding both the environment and indigenous relations. 

According to the U.N., more than 2,000 indigenous people, including many women, have participated directly in ENCRVV-supported projects. These projects include the Recovery of the Native Forest on Huapi Island, Ecological Restoration across La Araucania and Los Andes, +Bosques Landscape-wide Implementation and the Villarrica National Park Co-governance agreement. These are all frameworks in which indigenous communities work in tandem with national organizations to tackle environmental instability across Chile.

Geoparks and Poverty Reduction

SDG-15 in Chile continues its permeance through Chilean culture with the establishment of a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2019. Inside Chile’s Araucania region, the Kutralkura Geopark spans more than 8,100 km², including vast forestry, rivers and volcanoes. Since earning this UNESCO status, Kutralkura has become a strong symbol of indigenous leadership, working in tandem with government and international organizations to cultivate environmental conservation. However, its impact does not end there. Since 2019, the region has supplied strength to local communities, becoming a beacon of poverty reduction and economic prosperity. 

Sustainable agroforestry, tourism and artisan enterprises continue to support upwards of 55,000 local inhabitants. Geotourism services, supplied by locals who are uniquely engaged with the surrounding areas, offer guides and cultural tours to both international tourists and those of Chilean descent. The indigenous locals are incentivized to pass down and maintain knowledge of the vast environment, simultaneously raising awareness among Chilean populations about the key importance of the Geopark, and its link to the wider sustainability of both Chile’s intertwined ecosystems and economies.

In 2023, a project engaging Mapuche girls in volcanology education, led by female Chilean scientists, aimed to develop an educational volcanology guide with a gender focus. This initiative was designed to meld scientific knowledge with indigenous world views to boost disaster preparedness and safety, and bolster environmental awareness. 

In September 2025, the people of Temuco City, Chile will host the 11th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks, once again highlighting the SDG-15 in Chile and the proud impact it has had on the indigenous peoples, both directly and indirectly. This will not only improve environmental preservation, but also bolster indigenous involvement in local government policy, international recognition and economic prosperity for multiple indigenous communities. 

Final Thoughts

Environmental sustainability in Chile is not only an ecological necessity but also a pathway out of poverty for many vulnerable communities. Deforestation, soil erosion and forest fires have historically threatened rural livelihoods, particularly for indigenous families who depend on agriculture, forestry and small-scale tourism for survival. By restoring native forests, promoting sustainable agroforestry and expanding ecotourism initiatives, Chile’s SDG 15 programs create stable sources of income that reduce reliance on extractive industries. These initiatives give families more secure access to food, jobs and education, while also protecting ecosystems that future generations will depend on. As Chile continues to align its environmental goals with poverty reduction strategies, it offers a model for how sustainable development can uplift communities while safeguarding the planet.

– Luis-Enrique J Lander

Luis-Enrique is based in Leeds, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay