UK supports moratorium on seabed mining
The UK Government has announced it will not sponsor or support the issuing of any licenses for deep sea mining until further evidence is available.
The announcement came as International Seabed Authority (ISA) negotiations started on 30 October, and a month before COP28.
The UK follows other countries such as Germany, France and Sweden who have supported a moratorium. This will impact the extraction of precious metals like copper and cobalt.
The government stresses the need for greater understanding of the impact of deep sea mining on marine ecosystems and also for ‘strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines’ to be adopted by the ISA.
The government also plans to launch a new UK-based environmental science expert network on deep sea mining.
The marine conservation organisation, Blue Marine Foundation, supports the announcement. CEO Clare Brook says, ‘Blue Marine welcomes the government’s proposal to convene a UK scientific expert group on deep sea mining, which would underline the UK’s position as a leading voice in ocean conservation.’
It is hoped that the delay in sea bed mining will support the delivery of targets in the UK’s Environment Act.
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