Taking Precautionary Approaches to the Governance of Commercial Deep Seabed Mining: Law-Making of International Seabed Authority and Multi-Subject Participation

Abstract

Although commercial deep seabed mining could provide the international community with new sources of metals and minerals, it can potentially cause adverse effects on the marine environment and biodiversity of the Area. To date, insufficient scientific knowledge has been obtained about the complex deep seabed ecosystems and the detailed impacts of deep seabed mining. The International Seabed Authority has begun to make provisions for exploiting mineral resources and related environmental protection requirements. The draft exploitation regulations take precautionary approaches such as stipulating rules, including environmental standards and guidelines, environment impact assessment, environmental management and monitoring plan, and regional environmental management plan. However, there are still apparent differences and controversies about these rules between States. This article elaborates on the evolution and content of drafted rules and explores the manifested specific divergences and interest conflicts in formulating these rules. Implementing precautionary approaches requires balancing potential serious environmental risks, available scientific evidence, and cost-effectiveness. This article also explores the essential requirements of taking precautionary approaches for governing commercial deep seabed mining. The ISA, sponsoring States, Contractors, scientists, experts, and public all play roles in the governance of imminent commercial deep seabed mining. Strengthening multi-subject participation in the ISA’s law-making process for deep seabed environmental protection can be conducive to promoting consensus on taking precautionary approaches to govern commercial deep seabed mining.

Preserving Community Interests in Ocean Governance towards Sustainability: An Editorial Note

“…To control and reduce the potential adverse impacts of deep seabed mining on the marine environment and biodiversity in the international seabed area, multi-subject participation in the International Seabed Authority (ISA)'s law-making on taking precautionary approaches to governing commercial deep seabed mining should be strengthened. This involves identifying the scope of environmental impact assessment, developing environmental standards and guidelines, promoting the implementation of environmental management and monitoring, and improving the application of regional environmental management plans (REMPs) [6]. To safeguard the marine environment, China has implemented proactive measures, including stringent legal liability regarding marine environmental matters.…”