Deep-Sea Mining: Nearly 30 Countries Urge "Pause" at UN Ocean Conference
Thirty-three states advocate for a measured halt in deep-sea mining activities.
Jump on the bandwagon, buddy! More than 20 countries, including major players like the UK, France, Germany, Canada, and numerous Pacific island states, are calling for a halt in environment-damaging deep-sea mining at the UN Ocean Conference. Why, you ask? Because the deep sea is a treasure trove of life that needs protection, mate.
Germany's in the mix, too. On the first day of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, the German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider dropped a bomb: a precautionary pause is what's needed for the seabed, home to a vast, largely unknown biodiversity and crucial for carbon storage and climate change combat. Don't forget, deep-sea mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction could be a violation of international law, warned the signatories.
The US, of course, isn't backing down. President Trump signed a decree in April to allow prospecting for valuable minerals like nickel and cobalt in US and international waters. But there's a bit more to it than that. Deep-sea mining risks introducing harmful heavy metals to the food chain, affecting thousands of species that aren't found elsewhere.
France, on the other hand, isn't playing around. They're advocating for a complete ban on deep-sea mining. But what about Germany? They're just calling for a precautionary pause. Still, Schneider made it clear that strict environmental standards are a must in the coming years, particularly when it comes to the "Mining Code."
Deep-sea mining companies have been itching to get their hands on valuable minerals like copper, iron, and rare earths, which accumulate in the form of manganese nodules on the seabed. However, so far, there are no international rules for their possible extraction. Better get the lawyers involved if you're planning to dive in there!
So, what's the latest with international agreements and proposed regulations? Well, there are some key players like UNCLOS and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) that are working diligently to establish legal frameworks and regulations. But we're still a ways off from a binding global moratorium. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
Don't say I didn't warn ya, but a moratorium could discourage investment in exploration, limiting scientific research on seabed ecosystems. And there's a lack of robust, enforceable environmental protections and monitoring mechanisms currently in place. So, we've gotta keep our eyes on the prize, buddy!
In the end, the seabed and its inhabitants are our common heritage. Let's treat it with the respect it deserves!
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
Additional Insights:- Key International Agreements and Frameworks: UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA)'s Mining Code are crucial in establishing regulations for deep-sea mining.- Current State of Moratorium/Pause Proposals: 32-37 countries are calling for a pause or moratorium on deep-sea mining, including notable nations like the UK, France, Germany, Canada, and several Pacific island states.- UN Ocean Conference 2025: Emphasized calls for a moratorium, reflecting growing political momentum against deep-sea mining.- Legal Nature of Moratorium: Proposals seek either a voluntary, political commitment or a legally binding pause, which may be ratified by a UN resolution. However, no binding global moratorium is currently in place.- ISA's Role: The ISA is responsible for developing regulations for deep-sea mining, with a focus on environmental protections and oversight.- Precautionary Principle: International policymakers and environmental organizations support a pause or moratorium, highlighting the need for more research, better regulatory frameworks, and full assessment of long-term risks.- Challenges and Considerations: Investment impact, regulatory gaps, and sovereignty concerns pose challenges in the push for international deep-sea mining regulations.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation and environmental-science, over 30 countries, including key players like Germany, United Kingdom, France, Canada, and various Pacific island states, advocate for a precautionary pause in deep-sea mining.
- At the UN Ocean Conference, environmental ministers like Carsten Schneider of Germany emphasize the importance of science, urging strict environmental standards and adherence to the precautionary principle to protect the seabed's vast, largely unknown biodiversity from climate-change and its contribution to carbon storage.
- Proposals for a moratorium on deep-sea mining have been introduced, hoping to stave off potential damage to the ocean and the environment while establishments like UNCLOS and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) work diligently to develop rules and regulations for vocational training and protection of the deep sea, our common heritage.
