UN nature deal draft proposes to protect 30% of planet by 2030
A UN nature deal proposed Sunday calls to protect at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030 and asks rich countries to stump up $30 billion in yearly aid for developing nations to save their ecosystems. Fraught talks seeking an agreement to save the species and ecosystems on which life depends came to a head as summit chair China presented a long-awaited compromise text.Mapping out action for the next decade to reverse destruction that scientists say threatens a million species, the proposal called on wealthy countries to increase financial aid to the developing world to $20 billion annually by 2025, rising to $30 billion per year by 2030. It also called on countries to "ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 percent of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas" are effectively conserved and managed. "The Chinese presidency's draft final paper is courageous," said Germany's environment minister Steffi Lemke. "By protecting nature, we protect ourselves.""By including a target to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the world's lands and oceans, the draft text makes the largest commitment to ocean and land conservation in history," said Brian O'Donnell, of the Campaign for Nature.