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Australia's environment minister says a new nature pact that will see 30 per cent of the planet protected is a historic win despite the deal's shortcomings and uproar from some African nations.
Tanya Plibersek, who flew to Canada to attend negotiations on the deal, says it is high on ambition despite the fact "we didn't get everything we want".
The global agreement adopted at the UN-backed COP15 conference in Montreal, Canada, enshrines the target of protecting 30 per cent of the world's land and seas by 2030 - a target Australia has already committed to at home.
But there are unresolved questions about funding from developed nations to help developing countries protect the biodiversity they have left, for the benefit of the planet.
The deal was declared passed by China, which holds the COP15 presidency, despite objections from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the second-largest tropical forested country in the world.
A Congolese representative said more money was needed from developed nations, but China appeared to disregard those objections, declaring the deal done, sparking outrage from other African delegates.
Ms Plibersek didn't directly refer to those tensions in her post-deal statement but did acknowledge: "We didn't get everything we wanted. Others didn't either. But with a bit of cooperation, compromise and common sense, we have achieved a lot for the world."
She said Australia had "led the way in the negotiations" pushing for an ambitious agreement and declaring: "We can be proud."
"We agreed a good target on reducing invasive species, recognising island sites, including in the Pacific, as a priority," she said.
"We successfully advocated for placing the rights and interests of First Nations peoples at the forefront of nature conservation."
"And large companies will be required to disclose their nature related risks and impacts."
The UN has said the deal stands because no delegation raised a formal objection, but Cameroon has publicly said the deal was passed by force of hand, and Uganda said it did not support the procedure.
