House of Commons
16 February 2026
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 is UK law implementing the UN Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement for activities in areas beyond national waters. It creates a UK-wide framework to regulate access to marine genetic resources, share benefits, require information deposition and data sharing, and strengthen environmental safeguards, with new powers for Scotland and Northern Ireland and measures to tackle plastics pollution and build capacity in developing nations.
The bill completed its passage and received Royal Assent in February 2026, becoming law. It moved from Commons to Lords, where amendments mainly focused on devolved powers and safeguards, and two committee-stage amendments were defeated before final enactment.
Two committee-stage amendments were put to a vote and were defeated by a large majority. The government and allied parties backed the bill through its passage, while Labour and some other opposition groups opposed those specific amendments (which would have altered pre-ratification steps and devolved powers). The final Act reflects these debates, with new devolved and safeguards provisions incorporated.
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Showing agreed, defeated, and withdrawn amendments.
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Following agreement by both Houses on the text of the bill it received Royal Assent on 12 February. The bill is now an Act of Parliament (law).
UK law will implement the UN Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement by creating rules on access to and use of marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including how information is collected, stored and shared and how benefits are shared. The act establishes licensing and regulatory powers, area-based management tools, and environmental reporting, with procedures for the devolved administrations (Scotland and Northern Ireland) and some amendments to existing UK law.
The supplementary memorandum explains government amendments to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill that would grant devolved authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland regulatory powers to implement UK obligations under the BBNJ Agreement, mirroring the Secretary of State’s powers. It sets out new Clause 10 and new Clause 16, as well as amendments to Clause 25 and Clause 32, and describes the parliamentary procedures that would apply (affirmative in some cases, negative in others) and the commencement of provisions by regulations rather than Royal Assent. The aim is to ensure devolved bodies can implement marine‑environment standards, emergency measures, and future CoP decisions while preserving flexibility and consistency in governance.
On 15 January 2026, the Scottish Parliament agreed a Legislative Consent Motion (S6M-20419) allowing Westminster to consider specific provisions of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill that fall within Scotland’s competence and could affect the Scottish Ministers’ powers. The motion covers clauses, schedules and new clauses relating to powers, procedures and consultation, and was approved by a division of 82 for, 1 against, and 28 abstentions.
On 12 January 2026 the Northern Ireland Assembly agreed a Legislative Consent Motion allowing Northern Ireland to extend the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill by applying its provisions—specifically clauses 2–9, 11 and 13—to Northern Ireland. The motion, moved by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, endorsed the principle of extending the Bill as introduced in the House of Commons (10 September 2025).
