A new climate change report suggests one in six species could face extinction, with New Zealand one of the most affected countries.
Kiwis are one of the species that could be at risk. Photo: AFP
The report, by researchers from the University of Connecticut and published in the Science journal, analysed 131 studies around the world.
It said the extinction risk from climate change is predicted to grow as global temperatures rise, and that if the current trajectory continued, the earth's temperature would rise by 4.3°C, putting at least 16 percent of all species at risk.
South African species are most at risk, followed by Australia and New Zealand, where climate change could potentially push 14 to 23 percent of all species into being endangered. Europe and North America were not considered to be particularly at risk.
The report's author said strategies needed to be put in place urgently to minimse climate change and protect valuable biodiversity.