Sir David Attenborough has agreed to become the public face of a landmark government study into biodiversity loss and its impact on the economy.

The broadcaster and naturalist will act as an ambassador to promote the review around the world as the government attempts to demonstrate its determination to fight the climate emergency.

Led by the Cambridge university professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, the review will look into the benefits of biodiversity globally and assess the financial costs and risks the loss of natural habitats, environments and wildlife would have for the economy. The study will then put forward recommendations to promote both biodiversity and economic prosperity.

The study, commissioned by the Treasury under the former chancellor Philip Hammond, is an attempt by the government to show that Britain is at the forefront of protecting the environment. It also comes after Theresa May committed the government to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Q&A Which countries contribute most to the climate crisis? Show China produces the most heat-trapping pollution, followed by the US. But historically, the US has contributed more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than any other nation. The US also has high emissions per capita, compared to other developed countries. And Americans buy products made in China, therefore supporting China's carbon footprint.

Climate campaigners have criticised the government for failing to take enough action to tackle the scale of the crisis posed by global heating.

The chancellor, Sajid Javid, unveiled his spending priorities for the year ahead at a review this month, with Greenpeace UK warning the government had fallen “woefully short” of providing anywhere near enough funding to meet its net-zero target.

Javid said: “Protecting nature’s biodiversity has both environmental and economic benefits. That’s why we asked Prof Dasgupta to carry out the first review of its kind into this area, and I’m delighted Sir David Attenborough has agreed to be an ambassador.”