Global Ocean Treaty

The Global Ocean Treaty is the first-ever international agreement focused on conserving marine life in areas beyond national borders, the High Seas. It’s our chance to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030, creating sanctuaries that are safe from overfishing, deep sea mining, and other industrial exploitation.

And we’re not just waiting. We’re already pushing governments, exposing ocean threats, and sailing with purpose to defend the wild blue.

2022 Ocean 30x30 Drone Show in Seoul, Korea. © Greenpeace / Sungwoo Lee

Our Approach

We’re fighting for the strongest possible Global Ocean Treaty, one that truly protects the High Seas from exploitation, not just on paper, but in practice.

Led by truth

We work with marine scientists, legal experts, and communities to push for sanctuaries in areas and we lead by truth with the power of millions of voices across the world.

Stop destructions

We campaign to stop deep sea mining before it starts, and hold governments accountable for harmful industrial fishing operations that are destroying marine ecosystems.

Mobilise global pressure

We target decision-makers at critical UN negotiations, amplify voices from countries, and use global mobilisations and petitions to push hesitant governments to act boldly.

Center justice and equity

We work with Indigenous communities, small island nations, and countries on the frontlines of ocean degradation to center justice and equity in the Treaty’s implementation.

Our Projects

From the streets to the seas, our projects fight environmental destruction at every front, uniting people, challenging power, and protecting our planet’s future.

People protest in front of the United Nations building on August 18, 2022 in New York City. United Nations negotiations for a new Global Ocean Treaty are stalling due to a lack of high-level ministerial engagement. In response, activists have marched for the oceans with Greenpeace USA activists in New York outside the United Nations, with representatives from frontline communities addressing the crowd and calling for more urgency to ensure a strong Treaty is finalized in 2022.

Global advocacy & movement

Through grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and global day-of-action campaigns, we unite allies and people from every corner of the world to demand justice and show leaders that the world is watching.

As part of the ‘Biodiversity: What kind of culture for what kind of future?' forum, Billie, the Greenpeace octopus that warns of the destruction of the oceans, is presented for the first time in a cultural institution, on the Piazza of the Centre Pompidou, highlighting the essential role of 'artivism' in the ecological demands of our time. On 23 and 24 November, Greenpeace France activists distribute leaflets around Billie and engaged in conversation with visitors to the Centre Pompidou.

Creative activism

We expose corporations like Dove fueling the plastic crisis and mobilise public pressure to hold them accountable, both online and in the streets. Because without corporate change, there’s no real solution.

Malaysian actress Sharifah Sofia holds a forbidden sign in front of the deep-sea vessel “Hidden Gem” which is anchored at sea in Labuan, Malaysia. The Hidden Gem, owned by AllSeas and commissioned by The Metals Company, is the deep-sea mining industry’s flagship vessel. It is currently in Labuan, Malaysia, in long-term storage. The Metals Company confirmed in late April that they have submitted the first-ever commercial mining application to the US government, with the company stating they are “ready to go”.

Deep sea mining resistance

We’re actively resisting deep sea mining through scientific research, public education, and bold actions at sea and on land, demanding a global moratorium to protect fragile ecosystems before it’s too late.

How You Can Help

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    Together we are part of a growing, global movement determined to bring about the changes our planet desperately needs.