UK urged to take lead on biodiversity as UN issues urgent warning

Ministers announce report on economic case for biodiversity, but activists insist actions, not studies, are needed

The British government has commissioned Sir Partha Dasgupta, a professor at Cambridge University, to write a report on the economic case for biodiversity as policymakers across the planet are urged to step up efforts to reverse the alarming decline of the natural world.

Senior United Nations officials praised the announcement, which was made at the G7 environment ministers' meeting at the weekend, and expressed hope it will lead to a biodiversity study that is as influential as the Stern review on the economics of climate change.