Key UN biodiversity summit to open in ChinaAround one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction amid human encroachment on habitats, over-exploitation, pollution, the spread of invasive species, and climate change. BEIJING: A key UN summit tasked with protecting biodiversity officially opens in China and online Monday, as countries meet to tackle pollution and prevent mass extinction weeks before the COP26 climate conference. China has not yet committed to the "30 by 30" plan. - Division over targets -China said on Friday it has "given high priority to the protection of biodiversity by establishing a network of protected areas and national parks." The biodiversity discussions at COP15 are separate from weightier COP26 summit set to begin next month in Glasgow, where world leaders are under pressure to act on the climate crisis.
