Abstract

Biology—the science of life from molecules to ecosystems—provides essential knowledge, tools, and solutions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet its contributions are often discussed in fragmented ways (e.g., biodiversity for SDG 15, health for SDG 3), underestimating how biological systems underpin most SDG targets through food, water, climate regulation, disease control, and nature-based livelihoods. This article synthesizes peer-reviewed evidence to map five major “biology-to-SDG” pathways: (1) biodiversity and ecosystem services, (2) One Health and planetary health, (3) sustainable food systems and agroecology, (4) biotechnology and bioeconomy, and (5) biology education and sustainability competence. We use a conceptual integrative method: selecting authoritative reviews and empirical papers that explicitly connect biological mechanisms or interventions to SDG targets, and organizing evidence into a framework that highlights synergies, trade-offs, indicators, and governance requirements. Results show that biological processes are not only relevant to environment-focused goals (SDGs 6, 13, 14, 15), but materially shape poverty, inequality, and economic resilience through risk reduction, productivity, and health co-benefits. Evidence also underscores recurring implementation gaps: weak integration across sectors, insufficient monitoring of biological outcomes, and limited translation of biological knowledge into policy and education. We conclude with actionable priorities: mainstream ecosystem-service accounting, scale One Health surveillance and prevention, accelerate agroecological transitions, govern emerging biotechnologies responsibly, and embed SDGs systematically in biology curricula.