Context: 

For the first time, United Nations (UN) members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas. 

Image Source: The Hindu

Key Highlights: 

• After over 20 years of discussions, a treaty to protect marine life in the high seas has been reached, covering almost 50% of the planet’s surface.
• New Body: The treaty will create a new body to manage conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas in the high seas. 
• Critical to achieve the UN Biodiversity Conference’s pledge: The treaty is critical to achieve the UN Biodiversity Conference’s pledge to protect 30% of the planet’s waters, as well as its land, for conservation.
• First binding agreement for high seas: For the first time, there will be a binding agreement for the high seas, which until now have hardly been protected.
• Comprehensive protection: Comprehensive protection of endangered species and habitats is now finally possible on more than 40% of the Earth’s surface.
• Rules for conducting EIA: The treaty also establishes ground rules for conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for commercial activities in the oceans.
  • It means all activities planned for the high seas need to be looked at, though not all will go through a full assessment
• Strengthening International Collaboration: This treaty will help to knit together the different regional treaties to be able to address threats and concerns across species’ ranges.

News Source: The Hindu