A new deal to protect nature
has been agreed by almost 200 countries at the UN biodiversity
summit, COP15.
The agreement – which was
finalised in the early hours of Monday 19th December in Montreal,
Canada – includes a global commitment to halt and reverse
biodiversity loss by 2030 and to protect 30% of land and oceans
by the same date.
The framework also commits to
ending human-induced extinctions of known threatened species,
such as rhinos and gorillas.
Environment Secretary
Thérèse Coffey said:
“Today’s deal is an historic
milestone in protecting our natural environment for future
generations.
“I want to thank our fantastic
UK team of civil servants and ministers in Montreal. This deal
builds on the legacy of our own COP and G7 presidencies where we
put nature at the top of the global agenda.”
The UK has played a leading
role in driving forward progress in negotiations throughout the
summit, building on the actions agreed during the UK’s own COP
and G7 presidencies, including securing the Leaders Pledge for
Nature last year which commits world leaders to taking action to
drive sustainable food production, end the illegal wildlife trade
and tackle climate change.
The deal comes
after the commitment last week through the Donor Joint Statement to put
billions of dollars towards the protection and restoration of the
natural world.
The UK has also
pledged up to £29 million to help
developing countries meet ‘30by30’ land target and new funding
for conservation projects.
Tony Juniper, Chair of
Natural England said:
“The agreement reached in
Montréal today is a real breakthrough, presenting a new
opportunity for humankind during the course of this decade to
bend historic declines of Nature toward recovery. If we do that,
not only will we save threatened species and ecosystems, but
bring a range of hugely valuable benefits for
people.
“We must continue to call for
high ambition and work together to achieve stronger outcomes for
Nature, with the priority now being all about delivery in the
member countries of the United Nations, including across the
nations of the United Kingdom. We are very much looking forward
to supporting Government in doing that, and ensuring this
agreement makes a difference on the ground”.
ENDS
Notes to
editors
- Last week the government also agreed legally binding targets to
protect our environment, clean up our air and rivers and boost
nature following extensive consultation as part of the
government’s commitment to leave the environment in a better
state for future generations.
