The BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) negotiations during the COVID-19 crisis (SUF edition)

Full edition for scientific use. This dataset presents the data from two waves of a survey conducted by the MARIPOLDATA team to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on negotiations for a new legally binding international agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). The first survey (May 2020) captured initial disruptions to the negotiation process caused by global lockdowns and the postponement of the fourth BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference. The second survey (Nov 2021–Jan 2022) followed up on evolving digital engagement practices. Both waves asked how diverse stakeholders—ranging from government representatives to NGOs and researchers—experienced and responded to the sudden shift in diplomatic processes, actors' participation in online BBNJ activities, perceived effectiveness of virtual and hybrid negotiation formats, and the broader implications for digital diplomacy in ocean governance. The survey investigated how these formats affected intersessional work, treaty discussions, and science-policy interactions, aiming to evaluate the long-term viability of digital tools in multilateral environmental negotiations. Together, the surveys provide a unique perspective on the adaptation of global environmental diplomacy in times of crisis and the emerging role of digital technologies in shaping the BBNJ process.