Britain risks being excluded from a landmark global summit on ocean protection because of parliamentary delays in ratifying a crucial United Nations treaty, a coalition of leading environmental charities has warned.
Race Against Time for Ratification
Despite the UN High Seas Treaty formally coming into force on Saturday, the UK's own legislation to ratify it is progressing through Westminster at what campaigners describe as a "glacial pace." The treaty, officially titled the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, was adopted last year after two decades of international negotiations.
Although the UK government signed the agreement, the specific Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill required to make it British law was only introduced last September. It still needs to complete its parliamentary journey and be formally deposited with the UN. In a sharply worded letter to the Foreign Secretary, the heads of 18 UK environmental organisations have condemned the slow progress.
"Disappointingly, while the world celebrates, the UK is still not among the 81 countries that have signed the treaty into law," the letter states, noting that nations including China, France, Japan, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil have already done so. The groups are urging the government to complete ratification at least 30 days before the first Ocean Cop summit, which is anticipated as early as August this year. "It would be a failure of leadership to miss it," they warn.
A Turning Point for Ocean Governance
The High Seas Treaty represents a monumental shift in international environmental law. The high seas, which cover nearly half the planet's surface and lie beyond any national borders, have until now existed without a comprehensive legal framework to protect their immense biodiversity.
"The entry into force of the high seas treaty marks a long-awaited turning point for ocean governance," said Dr Lance Morgan, Chief Executive of the Marine Conservation Institute. "For decades, these vast waters – and the abundance of biodiversity that inhabits them – were beyond the reach of effective protection. Now, the global community has both the mandate and the responsibility to act."
The new treaty creates, for the first time, mechanisms to establish marine protected areas in international waters and sets out clear obligations for ensuring ocean resources are used sustainably.
Celebration and Concern on the Coast
The treaty's activation is being marked globally. In St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, a vibrant new mural twice the length of a double-decker bus was unveiled this weekend on the seafront Bathing Hut cafe. The artwork is part of a worldwide action coordinated by Greenpeace, involving artists, Indigenous peoples, and activists across 13 countries on five continents.
Meanwhile, in Parliament, the ratification bill is due for its third reading in the House of Lords on Monday. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The UK government is committed to make this into law, using the standard democratic parliamentary process. This treaty was signed under the last government and this government is committed to ratifying this quickly."
Environmental campaigners, however, remain deeply concerned that without swift legislative action, the UK will forfeit its influence at the inaugural Ocean Cop, undermining its stated commitment to global marine leadership.
