UK prime minister Boris Johnson has pledged £ 1.2bn ( $ 1.5bn ) to fund efforts to tackle climate change and protect endangered species . The announcement came as the prime minister prepared to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York . Announcing the new biodiversity fund with what is described as an initial £220m in funding, Johnson was expected to warn that species and habitats were vanishing faster than at any other time in history. Johnson will use a speech at the assembly to announce £ million in funding for UK inventors working on high - tech projects related to such issues as renewable energy and pollution reduction . A £ 200 m fund to protect biodiversity , focusing on endangered species including the black rhino and Sumatran tiger , will be announced separately . Greenpeace said the amount falls far short of what is required .
UK prime minister Boris Johnson has pledged £ 1.2bn ( $ 1.5bn ) to fund efforts to tackle climate change and protect endangered species . The announcement came as the prime minister prepared to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York . Johnson will use a speech at the assembly to announce £ million in funding for UK inventors working on high - tech projects related to such issues as renewable energy and pollution reduction . A £ 200 m fund to protect biodiversity , focusing on endangered species including the black rhino and Sumatran tiger , will be announced separately . Greenpeace said the amount falls far short of what is required .