Brussels. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), Environmental Justice Basis (EJF), Greenpeace, Seas at Danger (SAR), Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and the World Large Fund for Nature (WWF) have expressed their appreciation for the adoption of Decision B9 0095/2024 by the European Parliament concerning Norway’s choice to proceed with deep sea mining within the Arctic. This decision signifies the rising opposition to the deep sea mining trade in mild of Norway’s current alternative.
The European Parliaments vote in favor of Decision B9 0095/2024 conveys a message. Highlights important environmental considerations concerning Norway’s plan to open intensive areas in Arctic waters for deep sea mining operations. The decision reaffirms the Parliament’s endorsement of a halt. Urges the EU Fee, Member States and all nations to undertake a precautionary strategy and advocate for a moratorium, on deep sea mining together with on the Worldwide Seabed Authority.
Sandrine Polti, Europe Lead for the DSCC, acknowledged, “We very a lot welcome this decision by the European Parliament reaffirming its name for a moratorium on this harmful and dangerous trade earlier than it begins. As momentum grows globally for a moratorium, we name on Norway to reverse its choice earlier than irreversible injury is inflicted on our ocean.”
Anne-Sophie Roux, Deep Sea Mining Europe Lead for the SOA, emphasised, “At current, we lack the strong, complete, and credible scientific information to permit for a dependable evaluation of the impacts of deep-sea mineral extraction. Any mining exercise would subsequently contradict Norway’s dedication to the precautionary strategy, sustainable administration, and worldwide local weather and nature obligations.”
Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle, Deep-Sea Mining Marketing campaign Lead at Greenpeace Nordic, warned, “By opening up for deep-sea mining within the Arctic, Norway is ignoring tons of of involved ocean scientists and dropping all credibility overseas as a accountable ocean nation. This ought to be a warning to any authorities contemplating going forward with mining the deep sea.”
The decision of the Parliament comes after the parliament’s approval, on January 9, 2024, to permit deep sea mining operations in an space of over 280,000 kilometers, which is about the identical measurement as Italy, within the ecologically fragile Arctic area. This choice has sparked widespread concern among the many international neighborhood, together with scientists, the fishing trade, NGOs/civil society, and activists, with a petition garnering over 550,000 signatures to this point. The Norwegian Surroundings Company has deemed that the strategic environmental affect evaluation offered by the Norwegian authorities doesn’t present a enough scientific or authorized foundation to open for both deep-sea mining exploration or exploitation.
Kaja Lønne Fjærtoft, the World No Deep Seabed Mining Coverage Lead for WWF Worldwide, acknowledged, “The Norwegian authorities’s choice to open up for deep-sea mining actions bulldozes over suggestions of its personal professional our bodies, main scientists, universities, monetary establishments, and civil society. As a self-proclaimed ocean chief, Norway ought to be guided by the science. The proof is obvious – for a wholesome ocean, we’d like a world moratorium on deep-sea mining.”
The decision handed by the Parliament expresses worries concerning Norway’s intentions to interact in deep sea mining actions and the potential penalties these actions could have on EU fisheries, meals safety, Arctic marine biodiversity and neighboring international locations. Moreover, it highlights considerations that Norway could also be violating worldwide legal guidelines by not assembly the factors, for conducting a strategic environmental affect evaluation.
Simon Holmström, Deep-Sea Mining Coverage Officer at Seas At Danger, emphasised, “Arctic ecosystems are already beneath immense stress resulting from local weather change. If deep-sea mining is permitted to proceed, it might disrupt the world’s largest carbon sink – the deep sea – and trigger irreversible and everlasting lack of marine biodiversity inside and past Norwegian waters. We can’t let that occur.”
So far, 24 international locations globally, together with 7 EU international locations, are calling for a moratorium or pause on the trade. Multinational corporations resembling Google, Samsung, Northvolt, Volvo, and BMW have pledged to not supply any minerals from the seabed. Studies proceed to spotlight that metals discovered within the deep sea will not be wanted and can solely present restricted monetary advantages to a choose few, countering the claims of profit-driven deep-sea mining corporations.
Martin Webeler, Deep-Sea Mining Marketing campaign Lead for the Environmental Justice Basis, added, “Deep-sea mining just isn’t wanted for the inexperienced transition. Destroying almost pristine ecosystems won’t halt biodiversity loss and won’t assist us remedy the local weather disaster – it’ll make them worse. We want a severe rethink: full implementation of the round financial system and the general discount of demand for minerals should lastly turn out to be our tenet.”
The European Parliament’s approval of Decision B9 0095/2024 reveals that there’s a shared fear concerning the consequences of deep sea mining, within the Arctic. Because of this, a name has been made to halt this trade. The worldwide opposition, in opposition to deep sea mining is rising stronger, underscoring the importance of managing and taking measures to safeguard our oceans.
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