James is Deputy Director for International Marine Environment, within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) within the UK Government. He is responsible for international ocean issues covering environmental policy on climate change, biodiversity loss and marine pollution. His teams were integral in successful negotiations on a 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework alongside negotiations to agree the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (or High Seas) Treaty. A continuing focus is on negotiations on a global treaty to end plastic pollution. James is also the UK’s Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission.