Kingston, Jamaica, 15 July 2024 – The International Seabed Authority (ISA)’s 29th session begins today with a meeting of its Council followed by an Assembly meeting with two crucial agenda items: The Secretary-General election and the debate over a moratorium on seabed mining. The debate on the protection of the deep sea reaches the final agenda after pro-mining countries have previously blocked discussion about a moratorium on this harmful practice.
“The science is clear – there can’t be deep sea mining without harming pristine habitats and the only solution is a moratorium. The more we know about deep sea mining, the harder it is to justify it. Governments at the ISA must not dance to the tune of the industry and approve rushed regulations for the benefit of a few over the interests of Pacific communities and the opinion of scientists”, said Greenpeace International Stop Deep Sea Mining campaigner Louisa Casson, who is attending the meeting.
During the Council meeting, ISA Member States including the UK will continue negotiations on draft regulations for a Mining Code, picking up where States left off in March, amid growing divergent viewpoints between delegations. [1][2]
“It is time for change at the ISA. A third term for Michael Lodge would not only put the oceans under threat but also risk further damaging public trust in the regulator. Mining companies are impatient to get started and mounting evidence indicates that Lodge is overstepping his supposedly-neutral role to align with commercial interests. The ISA must listen to millions of people and the growing number of governments calling for a halt to deep sea mining. It is time to put conservation at the heart of the ISA’s work”, said Louisa Casson.
The election for the Secretary-General of the ISA will take place on the last day of the Assembly (2 August). Despite being the subject of press controversy, British national Michael Lodge will attempt to secure a third term supported by the Pacific Island of Kiribati. Marine scientist and international diplomat Leticia Carvalho was presented as the alternative candidate by her country, Brazil.
The ISA is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has never had a female Secretary-General. Other candidates can be nominated until the last day of the Council meeting, 26 July.
The ISA meeting is the first major international environmental negotiation to take place after the UK election. There will be a debate on the adoption of a General Policy on protecting the marine environment, which could pave the way for a future global moratorium on deep sea mining.
Greenpeace UK is calling for the new government to support a strong General Policy and build on its existing support for a precautionary pause on deep sea mining to position itself as one of the strongest international voices advancing a moratorium.
Briony Venn, oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said:
“The deep sea is a treasure trove of biodiversity. It is also one of our best defences against climate change. But deep sea mining is looming and we don’t have long to stop this threat. Deep sea mining companies and their supporters are using every trick in the book to push for permission to plunder ocean ecosystems for metals.
“Imagine if we could go back in time and stop offshore drilling at the dawn of the oil age and prevent environmental and climate catastrophes. This is the opportunity governments now have, and the UK should position itself as one of the strongest voices to stop a new extractive industry before it starts. Labour led the way by backing a pause on deep sea mining a year ago, now in government it must speak out on the world stage against this destructive industry.”
– ENDS –
Notes
[1] Most of the time in the first two weeks will be for Mining Code negotiations – regulations issued by the ISA to explore and exploit marine minerals in the area. Under the mandate of Michael Lodge, and with the support of a few pro-mining countries, the ISA Council is now meeting three times a year in an attempt to rush these negotiations. This is in contrast with demands from scientists, civil society, indigenous groups and the growing number of countries supporting a moratorium, who demand time to reflect carefully about the future of the deep ocean.
[2] Status of the deep sea mining regulations and underlying drivers for outstanding issues
Contacts
Sol Gosetti, Media Coordinator for the Stop Deep Sea Mining campaign, Greenpeace International: sol.gosetti@greenpeace.org, +44 (0) 07807352020 WhatsApp +44 (0) 7380845754
Alex Sedgwick, Greenpeace UK press officer, alexandra.sedgwick@greenpeace.org, +44 (0) 7973 873 155
Greenpeace International Press Desk: pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)
