Countries pledge to protect 30% of the world's lands, seas, coasts and inland waters by 2030

Countries have pledged to protect 30 per cent of the world's lands, seas, coasts and inland waters by 2030 as part of a new deal that aims to halt declines in nature.

Measures agreed at the UN Cop15 conference in Montreal also include a pledge to increase the flow of finance to developing nations to care for nature to $20 billion (£16.5 billion) by 2025 and at least $30 billion (£24.7 billion) by 2030.

There are 2030 targets to halve global food waste, excess nutrients and risks posed by pesticides, reduce to 'near zero' the loss of areas of wildlife-rich habitat, and reduce by $500 billion (£411.7 billion) a year government subsidies that harm nature.