Environmental groups slam government’s ‘glacial pace’ on High Seas Treaty as it comes into force without UK

• Open letter to Yvette Cooper signed by 18 environmental charities condemns ‘glacial pace’ of UK government progress
• High Seas Treaty entered into force today. More than 80 countries including China, France and Brazil have already signed it into law
• Striking new beachside mural unveiled in UK as part of global series to celebrate landmark moment for ocean protection – PICTURES (UK images and world images)

LONDON, Saturday 17 January 2026 – Eighteen environmental charities and campaign groups have written to the UK government condemning its slow progress in writing a landmark ocean conservation treaty into UK law. The letter, addressed to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, comes on the same day that the High Seas Treaty comes into force internationally. 

Signed by the heads of Greenpeace UK, Marine Conservation Society, Oceana, RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts among many others, the letter blames the UK’s failure to ratify the treaty on the “glacial pace of government progress”. It warns that the UK risks being shut out of the inaugural ‘Ocean COP’ (conference of the parties) which could take place as early as August.

The High Seas Treaty enters into force today having been ratified by 81 nations including China, France, Japan, Spain, Mexico and Brazil. While the UK introduced a bill to ratify the treaty last September, it still needs to pass through Parliament and be deposited at the UN. The charities urge Yvette Cooper to speed up this process to realise “the biggest opportunity any UK government has had to protect our oceans”.

The letter explains that governments can use the Treaty to establish the largest network of ocean sanctuaries in history, helping to meet the global 30×30 target to protect at least a third of the world’s oceans for nature by the end of the decade. This is the minimum scientists say is needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, stabilise the climate and safeguard 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. China, France, Spain and Brazil have all done it – when will the UK finally join them?

“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. It’s time to focus minds and use this once-in-a-generation opportunity to fight back for nature. Because the perils facing the ocean, its wildlife and the communities that depend on it demand urgent action now.”

In addition to fast-tracking the treaty, the letter calls on the UK to champion the first generation of ocean sanctuaries. The Atlantic Ocean is right on our doorstep which gives the UK a unique opportunity to safeguard this stunning habitat, including the uniquely biodiverse Sargasso Sea. 

Ends

Notes to editors

Read the full open letter here.

Greenpeace and Bristol-based artist Richt are unveiling a striking new mural to celebrate the High Seas Treaty coming into force. The mural is twice the length of a double decker bus and is painted on  a beach hut in St Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex. It is part of a global action in which artists, Indigenous Peoples, activists, and local communities from 13 countries are creating ocean-inspired street art to mark this major moment. Photographs of Richt’s artwork in St Leonards and the other murals around the world are available: UK images and world images.

The full press release is available here.

The letter signatories are:

Will McCallum – Co-Executive Director, Greenpeace UK

Clare Brook, CEO – Blue Marine Foundation

Hugo Tagholm – ED, Oceana

Richard Benwell – CEO, Wildlife and Countryside Link

Flora McMorrin – Executive Director, RISE UP for the Ocean

Jamie Cook – CEO, Angling Trust & Fish Legal

Sue Sayer MBE – Founder and Director, Seal Research Trust

Helen Sampson – MD, Women in Ocean Science

Steve Trent – CEO, Environmental Justice Foundation

Joan Edwards – Director Policy and Public Affairs, The Wildlife Trusts

Sandy Luk – Chief Executive, Marine Conservation Society

Matthew Collis – Senior Director of Policy, International Fund for Animal Welfare

Chris Butler-Stroud – CEO, Whale and Dolphin Conservation

Mary Rice – Executive Director, Environmental Investigation Agency

Abi Gardner – Founder and Coordinator, Global Youth Biodiversity Network UK (GYBN UK)

Kirsten Carter – Head of UK Marine Policy, RSPB

Paul Coulson – CEO, Institute of Fisheries Management

Youth For Nature

A live list of all the nations that have ratified the High Seas Treaty so far can be found here: https://highseasalliance.org/treaty-ratification/