Humpback whales in the Atlantic Ocean.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
The High Seas Treaty has been named the winner of the 2025 Earthshot Prize in the “Revive Our Oceans” category, a decision announced during the awards ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 5 November.
According to the organisers, the award acknowledges the “historic” international effort to protect nearly half of the planet’s surface that lies beyond national borders.
Formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), the treaty reached 60 ratifications in September and is due to enter into force on 17 January 2026. It establishes a framework for conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and for ensuring equitable sharing of ocean resources among all nations.
The award was accepted by the High Seas Alliance (HSA), a coalition of more than 70 organisations, on behalf of the global coalition that campaigned for over two decades to secure the agreement.
Speaking at the ceremony, HSA Director Rebecca Hubbard said: “By 2030, with the support of the Earthshot community, the High Seas Treaty will help ensure a healthy ocean and a stable climate that supports all life on the planet."
"Together, we will be able to protect biodiversity in the High Seas, which cover half the planet, through a new network of marine protected areas, better management of industrial activities and greater ocean equity,” Hubbard said.
She added that the Treaty was a symbol of hope in challenging political times, and demonstrated that collaboration between governments and civil society can deliver global environmental protection. However, she also warned that implementation remains the next major test, urging governments, Indigenous Peoples, scientists and industry to help “transform it from a signed piece of paper into a living, enforceable breathing commitment to protect the High Seas for generations to come.”
The Earthshot Prize, established by Prince William in 2020, honours innovative and large-scale efforts to tackle the planet’s most urgent environmental challenges. This year, winners were selected from nearly 2,500 nominations across 72 countries.
