The chapter “The Role of Sustainable Development Goals in Conservation Action” discusses how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework can serve as a tool for effective conservation practice and policy. Two conservation-centric SDGs, namely SDG 14 (“Life Below Water”) and SDG 15 (“Life on Land”), are examined in this context. SDG 14 aims to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” Whereas SDG 15 aims 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.” The chapter analyses and provides a comparison of global and India’s national indicators for the two SDGs, including India’s SDG performance rankings. The chapter discusses two case studies, Finland and the Indian state of Uttarakhand, to illustrate the practical application of SDG principles in contrasting governance, ecological, and socio-economic contexts. Finland, ranked first globally as per the 2024 SDG Report, demonstrates the effectiveness of proactive legislative planning, institutional frameworks such as the National Commission on Sustainable Development, and integration of SDGs into EU-funded conservation programs. Its model, through the lens of Professor Teppo Hujala, School of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, University of Eastern Finland, emphasises voluntary, bottom-up conservation supported by scientific data, youth participation, and continuous policy evaluation with challenges including legacy legal frameworks and data gaps. Uttarakhand, through the lens of Dr. Saket Badola, Field Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Government of Uttarakhand, showcases how deeply embedded cultural practices, community-led conservation movements such as Chipko and Maiti, and strong political commitment have advanced forest and biodiversity conservation under SDG 15, with challenges including pressures from infrastructure expansion, climate-induced disasters, and increasing demand for forest produce. With the insights from the case studies, the chapter proposes key recommendations for strengthening conservation-based SDG implementation. These include: (i) legal and policy integration of SDGs into national and local frameworks; (ii) establishing and strengthening of multi-stakeholder institutional mechanisms that ensure scientific, youth, and community participation; (iii) enhanced and innovative funding mechanisms such as green bonds, carbon credits, and Gross Environmental Product valuation; (iv) fostering community ownership through socio-cultural incentives and livelihood linkages; and (v) improved data collection, research, and indicator localization to enable adaptive management. The conclusion emphasises that while SDGs act as a parameter or formula against which all nations may monitor their individual progress, their success, however, depends on national implementation, depending upon policy frameworks, governance structures, and socio-economic conditions. The distinct case studies and experiences of Finland and Uttarakhand illustrate that achieving conservation-related SDGs requires not only legislative and institutional alignment but also the empowerment of communities as custodians of conservation action. Ultimately, the SDGs represent both a roadmap and a responsibility, bridging the global vision of sustainability with the on-ground practice of conservation.