What changed

PA_Leg_Consent

P9_TA(2024)0337

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

Background of the Proposal

The European Union is actively engaged in addressing the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction through the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), known as the “BBNJ Agreement”.

Initiated in 2004, the EU, authorized by the Council, conducted negotiations from 2016 to 2023, resulting in the adoption of the BBNJ Agreement on 19 June 2023. The EU signed this pivotal agreement on 20 September 2023.

The BBNJ Agreement focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans, thereby contributing to a healthier marine environment and to maintaining the long-term profitability of the fisheries sector. It addresses marine genetic resources, benefit-sharing, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, and capacity-building.

As the third implementing agreement under UNCLOS for the EU, this agreement modernizes UNCLOS to align with developments in marine biodiversity since 1982. It supports the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 14, and contributes to the Global Biodiversity Framework's target of conserving 30% of the world's lands and oceans by 2030. Additionally, it aids in implementing the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, emphasizing the synergy in addressing global challenges.

Content of the Proposal

The BBNJ Agreement tackles the challenges posed by approximately two-thirds of the world's oceans, which are collectively owned but lack specific ownership by any individual entity. This global common good is conserved through binding and voluntary measures, focusing on better cooperation and coordination among stakeholders. It aims to combat biological diversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction, covering issues such as warming, ocean deoxygenation, acidification, pollution (including plastic pollution), and unsustainable use.

The BBNJ Agreement further emphasizes advancing global scientific research, ensuring compatibility with existing stakeholder responsibilities, and addressing inequalities, particularly for developing countries. It strives to increase collaboration among regional seas organisations and regional fisheries management organisations.

The BBNJ Agreement aims to align UNCLOS with contemporary issues and promote sustainable practices on a global scale.

Opinion of the Rapporteur

The Rapporteur commends the timely and effective measures agreed on the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Conference. He is of the opinion that the international legally binding instrument represents a crucial step forward in addressing the complex challenges faced by marine ecosystems on a global scale. A healthy marine environment with healthy fish stocks and rich biodiversity is crucial to ensuring a prosperous future for fisheries communities.

The Rapporteur welcomes the swift transposition of the agreed-upon general obligations laid out in the Agreement, ensuring the effective implementation of measures that promote coherence and coordination, without undermining existing instruments, frameworks, or the work of global, regional, subregional, and sectoral bodies. This commitment to alignment and collaboration is vital for the success of the Agreement and its overarching goal of conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

In conclusion, the Rapporteur stands in support of the Agreement under UNCLOS and endorses its swift adoption, emphasizing the importance of cooperative efforts in safeguarding the health and resilience of marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

******

The Committee on Fisheries calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the proposal for a Council decision conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Title

Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction

References

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

2023/0353(NLE)

PE759.989

Committee responsible

European Parliament legislative resolution of 24 April 2024 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (07577/2024 – C9-0135/2024 – 2023/0353(NLE))

ENVI

(Consent)

Rapporteur for the opinion

– having regard to the draft Council decision (07577/2024),

Date appointed

– having regard to the draft Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (12126/2023),

Predrag Fred Matić

– having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 192(1) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C90135/2024),

13.12.2023

– having regard to Rule 105(1) and (4) and Rule 114(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

Discussed in committee

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Fisheries,

7.12.2023

– having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (A9-0177/2024),

19.2.2024

1. Gives its consent to the conclusion of the agreement;

Date adopted

2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

20.3.2024

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

20

1

1

Members present for the final vote

Clara Aguilera, João Albuquerque, Pietro Bartolo, Isabel Carvalhais, Rosanna Conte, Rosa D’Amato, Anja Haga, Ladislav Ilčić, France Jamet, Pierre Karleskind, Predrag Fred Matić, Francisco José Millán Mon, Caroline Roose, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Marc Tarabella, Emma Wiesner, Theodoros Zagorakis

Substitutes present for the final vote

Catherine Chabaud, Ska Keller, Grace O’Sullivan

Substitutes under Rule 209(7) present for the final vote

Karolin Braunsberger-Reinhold, Henk Jan Ormel

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

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