House of Commons
16 February 2026
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 brings UK law in line with the UN BBNJ Agreement. It creates a framework to regulate access to marine genetic resources and share benefits from areas beyond national jurisdiction, with licensing, reporting, and environmental safeguards, and it expands powers to devolved administrations while addressing plastics pollution, human rights at sea and the risk of offshoring research.
The bill completed its passage through Parliament and received Royal Assent on 12 February 2026, becoming law.
In the committee votes on two amendments, the changes were defeated, with the government and allied parties backing the underlying bill. Parties such as Labour and the Green Party opposed the amendments and, in some cases, the broader approach, while Conservative and other supportive groups backed the core provisions.
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Showing agreed, defeated, and withdrawn amendments.
Based on 2 recorded votes • Sorted by % Aye
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).
