In a notable environmental about-face, the United Kingdom has announced its endorsement of a temporary suspension on commercial deep-sea mining, aligning its stance with the concerns raised by scientists, lawmakers, and environmental advocates who have previously criticized the UK’s support for this burgeoning industry.
The British government, as of Monday, has made clear its intention to back a moratorium on supporting or sponsoring any exploitation licenses for the extraction of metals from the ocean floor. This suspension will remain in effect until sufficient scientific evidence is available to comprehensively assess the potential repercussions on marine ecosystems.
The catalyst for this decision came in the form of a stern warning from dozens of scientists, who apprised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the potentially dire consequences stemming from industrial-scale seabed exploitation. These repercussions, they emphasized, could extend to both marine life and the ocean’s vital role as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide, which is fundamental to the planet’s climate regulation.
Until now, the UK had abstained from endorsing a moratorium on deep-sea mining. However, this shift in policy now places the country among a growing consortium of at least 20 nations, including Brazil, France, Germany, Sweden, and Canada, all of which have called for a halt to the issuance of exploration licenses. They are collectively advocating for a pause until there is a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental ramifications associated with seabed exploitation. Notably, renowned car manufacturers such as BMW and Volvo, along with car battery manufacturer Samsung, have committed to abstaining from incorporating deep-sea minerals in their products.
The UK’s Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, announced the launch of a UK-based environmental science network dedicated to deep-sea mining. This network aims to accumulate essential data and address gaps in the evidence concerning the environmental impact of mining activities. In the interim, the UK will refrain from endorsing or sponsoring any exploitation licenses.
In July, the Labour Party urged the government to align itself with the mounting calls for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining. Their stance emphasized the necessity for clear scientific evidence indicating the feasibility and safety of such operations, as well as the implementation of new regulations to safeguard marine environments.
Monday marks the initiation of renewed discussions at the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a quasi-UN organization tasked with regulating the deep-sea mining industry in international waters. While a decision was not reached during their July meeting on allowing production to proceed, member states did agree to deliberate on the subject of a moratorium.
It is important to note that the UK government currently holds two exploration licenses for the extraction of metals from the Pacific Ocean’s floor. It stands among 14 nations sponsoring exploration or research contracts, the only type allowed thus far, in partnership with companies aiming to engage in deep-sea mining. These countries include China, Russia, South Korea, India, France, Poland, Brazil, Japan, Jamaica, Belgium, Nauru, Tonga, and Kiribati.
Proponents of deep-sea mining assert that extracting minerals such as copper, nickel, and cobalt from the ocean floor is not only cost-effective but also less environmentally damaging than conventional land-based mining.
However, detractors, including scientists and environmental groups, emphasize that less than 1% of the world’s deep-sea regions have been thoroughly explored. They warn that deep-sea mining could introduce detrimental noise, light pollution, and suffocating dust storms to these delicate and uncharted ecosystems. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for fuel spills and the use of chemicals that could have adverse effects on marine life.
Clare Brooke, Chief Executive of the conservation organization Blue Marine Foundation, underlines the gravity of the situation, asserting that deep-sea mining poses an existential threat to some of the planet’s most vulnerable and least-explored habitats. She advocates for a cautious approach that safeguards ocean biodiversity while meeting the mineral requirements for transitioning to a net-zero carbon future.
Julian Jackson, an ocean governance specialist at Pew Charitable Trusts, underscores the significance of the UK’s decision and the need to transform these political declarations into legally binding measures at the International Seabed Authority, emphasizing the existential risks deep-sea mining poses to these ecosystems.
Greenpeace’s UK Ocean Campaigner, Fiona Nicholls, welcomes the UK government’s change in stance, interpreting it as a signal that the tide is shifting against the harmful practices of deep-sea mining, which jeopardize some of the last pristine marine habitats worldwide.