Letter to Commons Leader requesting time to ratify the Global Oceans Treaty

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  Dear Leader of the House of Commons,

  We are writing to you as cross-party members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the

  Environment to ask you to find parliamentary time to ratify the Global Oceans Treaty. Taking this

  action is critical to maintaining the UK’s global leadership on international biodiversity and protecting

  the oceans beloved by the British public.

  The Global Oceans Treaty - also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions agreement -

  is crucial to establishing marine protected areas in parts of the ocean that lie beyond national

  maritime borders. Whilst the treaty was agreed in 2023, it must be formally ratified by each

  participating nation, which in the UK requires primary legislation. 28 states have now formally

  ratified the agreement, including France, Spain and Portugal. If the UK fails to ratify quickly it will risk

  losing its seat at the table for ongoing international negotiations.

  Governments had aimed to ratify the treaty by this month’s UN Ocean Conference, to ensure it

  enters into force quickly enough to protect 30% of oceans by 2030. This is a core goal of the Global

  Ocean Alliance, a 77-country group led by the UK.

  The treaty is within the remit of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, who have

  continually expressed their support for ratifying it. However, time must now urgently be found in the

  Commons for this business to take place.

  The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and

  globally more than 40 million people will be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030. Yet

  society is taking more from the ocean than can be replenished, with 90% of big fish populations

  depleted and 50% of coral reefs destroyed.

  International waters that will be protected by the Global Oceans are vulnerable to exploitation,

  including from industrial fishing and oil drilling. Currently, less than 1% of the high seas – which

  comprises almost two-thirds of the world’s ocean – is fully or highly protected from human activities.

  As an issue supported by politicians from all major parties, where lack of actions risks damaging the

  UK’s international reputation for marine conservation, we hope you can find time for this important

  piece of parliamentary business.

  Yours sincerely,