Plea to PM over meeting on treaty to restore nature

RISHI Sunak must lead the way on international negotiations to secure a global deal to reverse the loss of nature by 2030, conservationists have urged.

Conservation charity WWF wants countries to agree a “Paris”style treaty – similar to the global deal struck in the French capital in 2015 to tackle climate change – to restore the natural world when they meet in Montreal next month.

The UN meeting, which has been much delayed by the pandemic, starts on December 7 in the Canadian city, and WWF is calling for countries including the UK to commit to the goal of conserving at least 30% of the world’s land, wetlands and oceans by 2030.

A failure to reverse the huge losses in wildlife and habitats will put humans at increased risk from pandemics, worsen food and water insecurity and make it impossible to prevent dangerous global warming, the conservation group warns.

The Government has pledged to be a leader in the negotiations and WWF is urging the Prime Minister to keep the promise by attending the talks to drive forward negotiations and show the UK’s support for restoring the natural world.

Steele, chief executive of WWF-UK, said: “Nature is our biggest ally in the fight against climate change and the source of our health, security and prosperity.

“As a major economy, the UK must deliver on its nature promises by publishing targets to restore our vital habitats at home and taking a leadership role on the world stage.

“We urge the Prime Minister to attend the summit and provide a lifeline for nature by driving forward a ‘Paris’-style global deal in Montreal – only then can we protect people and planet, and bring our world back to life.”