The UN COP15 biodiversity summit has reached an agreement to protect more of the planet’s lands and oceans by 2030, despite the deep divide between wealthy and developing countries that have dogged UN climate and nature negotiations.
In the early hours of Monday, a framework was signed off by almost 200 countries that would safeguard at least 30 per cent of the world’s land, inland waters, coastal areas and oceans by 2030. Presently, 17 per cent and 10 per cent of land and marine areas respectively are under protection.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the deal, thrashed out at the two-week gathering, was a “road map to protect and restore nature” that complemented the Paris Agreement for climate.