Government criticised for ‘glacial pace’ writing UN high seas treaty into law
The Government is moving at a “glacial pace” to ratify a landmark UN pact to protect delicate ecosystems in international waters, a coalition of green groups has said.
Eighteen environmental organisations called on Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to speed up the process on Saturday – the day the High Seas Treaty comes into force globally.
It comes after 81 other countries, including China, France, Japan and Brazil, ratified the agreement, meaning it passed the required threshold of 60 countries to become binding.
The pact aims to see parties co-operate on conservation in areas beyond national jurisdictions as well as marine scientific research, bolstering global efforts to protect species such as sharks, whales and sea turtles.
While the UK signed the treaty in June 2023 and triggered the parliamentary process required to ratify it in September, it has yet to write the treaty into law.
The group of campaigners are now urging the Foreign Secretary to fast-track the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill to realise “the biggest opportunity any UK government has had to protect our oceans”.
Signed by the heads of Greenpeace UK, Marine Conservation Society, Oceana, RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts among others, the letter highlights how governments can use the agreement to champion a network of ocean sanctuaries, including across the neighbouring Atlantic Ocean.
It argues that this will help countries meet the global UN target to protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans for nature by the end of the decade – the minimum scientists say is needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, tackle climate change and protect food security for billions of people.
Chris Thorne, Greenpeace UK senior oceans campaigner, said: “Nations around the world are celebrating the biggest win for nature in a generation, but our government is missing the party.
“The UK championed this treaty from the start, but is now dragging its feet over signing it into law.
“A constellation of ocean sanctuaries teeming with whales, coral reefs and other awe-inspiring nature is now tantalisingly close.
“But we will only get there if the UK gets serious about putting forward ambitious proposals to protect huge areas of the ocean such as the Sargasso Sea and other parts of the Atlantic.”
Without passing the Bill, the green groups warned that the UK risked being shut out of a key UN ocean conference this year, which could take place as early as August.
Hugo Tagholm, director of Oceana UK, said: “It is truly great news that the High Seas Treaty enters into force this week, thanks to the 81 nations who have stepped up to ratify it and protect our global ocean.
“But where is the UK?
“The Government needs to act now: as an ocean nation, we can and should be leading the way.”
The Press Association has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.
Published: by Radio NewsHub