The European Parliament expressed on Wednesday its concern over Norway’s decision that could lead to the commercial mining of part of the Arctic seabed. Photo: Henning Flusund
In a plenary resolution today, Wednesday 07 February 2024, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voiced their apprehension regarding Norway’s plan to potentially mine a portion of the Arctic seabed.
The Norwegian Parliament’s decision to open 281,200 km2 for deep-seabed mining has raised environmental and geopolitical concerns.
MEPs are urging the European Commission and EU member states to collaborate on establishing an international moratorium on deep-seabed mining. They emphasise the need for thorough environmental impact studies before allowing such activities and call for the respect of the precautionary principle by non-EU countries. The resolution aims to prevent harm to marine ecosystems and safeguard the delicate balance of the Arctic environment.
The designated area, located in Norway’s extended continental shelf, impacts the fishing interests of several countries. Stretching from Jan Mayen Island to the Svalbard archipelago, it includes the Fisheries Protection Zone of Svalbard, where 22 EU countries and 23 non-EU countries engage in fishing activities.
MEPs remind Norway of its commitments under various treaties governing fishing stock management and the protection of Arctic waters from adverse human activities. They stress that the Norwegian Parliament is yet to take a final vote on extraction activities, and the country’s Environment Agency has expressed reservations, citing insufficient knowledge to proceed with mineral extraction.
The resolution reveals that seven EU countries have already expressed support for a moratorium or a total ban on seabed mining, while others endorsed similar measures at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in September 2021. Notably, several major international corporations, including Volvo, BMW, Volkswagen, Samsung, and Phillips, have committed to refraining from sourcing or financing minerals from the deep seabed.
The resolution, approved by 523 votes in favour, 34 against, and 59 abstentions, underscores the importance of responsible environmental practices and sustainable use of marine resources. It comes as a response to Norway’s decision on 09 January 2024, to advance seabed mining within its continental shelf and extended continental shelf, part of which lies in the Arctic.
While the EU has invested over 80 million EUR in research related to the impacts of deep-sea mining, the knowledge of deep-sea ecosystem functioning, and recoverability remains limited. The recently agreed Treaty of the High Seas (BBNJ) seeks to ensure sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction and has been signed by both the EU and Norway. Norway is also a signatory to the OSPAR Convention, dedicated to protecting the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, including Arctic waters, from adverse human activities.
Protection of ecosystems, whether on land or in seas, within or beyond EU borders, aligns with the core principles of the Green Deal, a central policy of the current European Commission. The resolution reflects the EU’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.
Source: Press Release