As talks on a new global pact to protect nature ramp up this month, international green groups have called on the world’s richest nations to commit at least $60bn a year to protect and restore biodiversity in developing countries.

Governments are working to finalise an agreement to safeguard the planet’s plants, animals and ecosystems — similar to the Paris climate accord — at a two-part UN summit due to conclude in May in the Chinese city of Kunming.

The draft pact includes a goal to boost funding for nature conservation in developing nations by $10bn per year — in addition to the $5bn-$10bn now flowing...