I am delighted the Government has announced it will introduce legislation to enable ratification of the Global Ocean Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty, before the end of the year.

Our oceans need urgent action and the treaty will be landmark when it comes to protecting marine life worldwide. I also support the Government’s commitment to agree an ambitious plastic pollution treaty when negotiations resume later this year. I am pleased the UK has pledged an additional £4 million to the Global Fund for Coral Reefs to help protect vital marine habitats, bringing our total contribution to the fund to £40 million.

One million species are facing extinction, including one third of marine mammals and coral reefs. Biodiversity loss is as much of a threat as changes to our climate. It is important we do not become numb to the scale of the climate crisis. It is important we make progress and work with the international community to protect our marine environment. That is why I am so pleased that the Foreign Secretary has committed to make action on the climate and nature crisis central to all the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does. Our UK Special Representatives for Climate Change and Nature will play a key part of this effort on the world stage.

I also welcome the agreement across the Commonwealth to back efforts to protect at least 30% of the planet’s ocean by 2030. We need to forge genuine partnerships to tackle this crisis together.

In addition, I am proud that the Government are providing funding and support for those countries at the forefront of the climate and nature emergency, as announced at COP29 last year in Baku.

I will continue to support the Government’s ambition to provide international leadership on climate and nature. We need to protect our planet for future generations.

Thank you to those constituents who have contacted me about this important issue.

Best wishes

Rt Hon Hilary Benn
MP for Leeds South
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland