Yahoo TV

STORY: Signed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and later ratified by about 195 countries – not including the United States – the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity is designed to safeguard plant and animal species, and ensure natural resources are used in sustainable ways.

Of the 23 proposed targets for the summit, one has garnered more attention and ambition than others. Known informally as "30-by-30," this target would see countries commit to protecting 30% of their land and sea territories by 2030.

As the two leaders met, protesters, dressed in black and carrying black flags, marched on the streets of Montreal. Some carried a large banner that read "Block COP15" and chanted as they marched past a large police presence.

Protesters like Steve (no last name given) are concerned that indigenous communities will be removed from land under the guise of land protection.

"Protection of the land means that the native populations that are living on this land is going to be taken away. They will be expatriated. So that means that a lot of people will suffer," he told Reuters.