Peers call for UK Leadership on urgent global nature challenges

Oral Questions in the House of Lords are a key tool for holding Ministers to account, shining a spotlight on urgent issues, and pushing the Government to take action — both at home and in tackling shared global issues.

This past week, Peers for the Planet supporters have been doing just that, urging the Government to step up its leadership on major global environmental challenges: from plastic pollution and deep-sea mining to illegal deforestation.

Here’s a quick round-up of what was raised — and how Ministers responded.

A global treaty on plastic pollution

The UN estimates that the world produces around 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, of which over two-thirds are short-lived products which soon become waste. Plastic pollution is damaging vital ecosystems, increasing fossil fuel demand, and posing growing risks to wildlife and human health.

With negotiations resuming in Geneva this August, Baroness Parminter called on the Government to ensure the UK plays a leading role in securing an ambitious global plastics treaty.

The Minister confirmed that the UK has high ambitions to ensure the treaty addresses the full lifecycle of plastics – from sustainable production to responsible consumption, and confirmed the UK is working behind the scenes to build consensus among lower-ambition countries, and shaping a position for financing the treaty and engaging the private sector.

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick raised the issue of plastic waste exports, asking whether the Government will use its powers under the Environment Act to curb this practice and boost domestic recycling. The Minister agreed that the UK must “move away” from exporting waste and confirmed that Defra is focused on developing a robust circular economy strategy.

Baroness Boycott spotlighted the alarming spread of microplastics — now found in our water, our bodies, and even our soils — and cited research warning of a steep drop in crop yields within the next decade as a result. The Minister pledged to review the evidence and report back on what action the Government is taking.

Deep-sea mining in international waters

Turning to the ocean floor, Viscount Stansgate questioned what representations the UK has made to both the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the United States regarding proposals to permit deep-sea mining in international waters.

In response, the Minister reaffirmed the UK’s support for a moratorium on new exploration contracts until there is sufficient scientific understanding of the environmental risks involved.

Lord Randall pushed for faster progress on ocean protection, asking when the UK will ratify the High Seas Treaty, with the Minister confirming that ratification is expected by the end of the year.

Baroness Boycott made a powerful case for avoiding deep-sea mining altogether by embracing a circular economy approach to critical minerals. With enough rare materials already in circulation to meet demand, she asked what the Government is doing to promote smarter resource use. The Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to working in partnership with other nations — supporting local processing of rare earth minerals to create jobs, share value, and support a greener global future.

Tackling illegal deforestation

With the UK estimated to be the 15th largest consumption-based contributor to deforestation globally, there is an opportunity to bring forward changes that could make a major contribution to stopping global deforestation and give consumers confidence that the products they buy are not contributing to illegal deforestation.

This week, Baroness Sheehan pressed the Government on its plans to introduce regulations under Schedule 17 of the Environment Act 2021, which would ban the import of forest risk commodities linked to illegal deforestation.

Baroness Sheehan emphasised that we cannot stabilise the climate while continuing to destroy critical carbon sinks like forests - and urged the UK to show leadership on this issue at COP30, which will be hosted in the Brazilian Amazon. Baroness Bennett also added that the UK’s deforestation footprint from direct imports increased by more than 39,300 hectares - an area larger than the New Forest.

Finally, Lord Randall pushed the Minister for a clear timetable for introducing the necessary secondary legislation. While the Minister said she could not commit to a specific timeline, she stressed that Defra remains committed to introducing the legislation and is working across government to ensure it is delivered "in a timely fashion."