A major international meeting, called COP 15, on biodiversity, is underway in the Chinese city of Kunming, to set new goals to halt what scientists say is a sixth great extinction. Federal Environment minister Sussan Ley has addressed the meeting and says Australia is acting on land and marine protection, biosecurity, Indigenous stewardship, and other issues.

Professor Cunningham says many good things are being done but says the trend is still poor and greater accountability is needed under Australia's environment protection laws, as recommended in a recent review. He also say the world needs to take targets for action more seriously.

Listen to the interview at the ABC Radio website.