Africa and Europe Must Join Forces to Protect Our Oceans by Pushing for a Moratorium on Deep Sea Mining – Global Issues
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 17 (IPS) – Offshore mining may not be on the official agenda next week at the World Economic Forum in Davos (January 20-24), but restoring public trust through international cooperation is.
Perhaps the most important commitment that African and European leaders can make here to restore confidence in their ability to solve complex problems, and to protect the health of our planet and the oceans that connect it, is to call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining in global waters.
As co-chairs of the Africa-Europe Strategy Group on Ocean Governance, which is an initiative of the European Commission, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, and facilitated by the Africa-Europe Foundation, we have begun to discuss how both continents can benefit from this. greater cooperation in fisheries management, marine pollution, and habitat protection, especially in the face of climate change. Now, as the mining companies of the Global North are pressuring the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to allow deep sea commercial mining in 2025 without agreed rules and without environmental protections, we must urgently turn our attention and global impact on the seabed.
Already, permits have been granted to find potato-sized polymetallic nodules containing elements such as cobalt and nickel. Unfortunately, the mining process amounts to dragging bulldozers thousands of meters down to the bottom of the sea and tapping the nodules back into vessels where they are cleaned with high-pressure hoses, leaving huge clouds of mud in their wake.
Scientists are increasingly voicing warnings about the potential impact of activities on fragile marine ecosystems, with the possibility that deep-sea mining could irreversibly destroy species and ecosystems.
Once thought to be almost devoid of life, and contrary to the traditional knowledge of indigenous and coastal communities, new research has revealed an area teeming with many species of fish, squid, and crustaceans (many of which have only recently been discovered) that play an important role in the global ocean system, including the fisheries of -African and European.
Some research suggests that polluting the oceans could disrupt our planet’s largest carbon sink and potentially release carbon into the atmosphere and compound the climate crisis beyond our control.
Both continents depend on a healthy marine environment for fishing, tourism and food security. However, as they struggle to manage unprecedented pressures from overexploitation, rapidly warming waters, land pollution and acidification, deep sea mines are seen as a major risk with far-reaching impacts that do not recognize national borders.
Supporters of the mine, possibly even some in Davos, argue that it is necessary to satisfy the growing demand for batteries used in the growing electric vehicle market. But with research suggesting that deep-sea metals are not needed to fuel the green revolution, including astronomical costs and mounting debt in the industry, companies have already begun to move away from the industry to invest in other things, including new battery chemicals and recycled materials. .
Offshore mining is unlikely to be profitable without significant government funding that could be better spent on refining and processing with improved capacity, renewable technology and energy efficiency.
Given these huge risks (and questionable benefits), the Africa-Europe-led moratorium on deep-sea mining is a wise use of the precautionary approach that has guided ocean conservation and international environmental agreements for decades. It will also comply with key principles set out in the UN High Seas Treaty, such as conservation, sustainable use and benefit sharing.
In addition, it will lay the foundation for even greater cooperation, including marine research efforts, deep-sea marine genetic resources, ocean planning, the use of local communities and traditional knowledge, and the establishment of dedicated research centers that utilize the great talent and knowledge available on both continents.
Political momentum to combat deep sea mining is growing. Today, 32 countries have announced their support for the suspension, temporary suspension, or outright ban, joined by many indigenous groups and communities, large companies, financial institutions, science and policy experts from around the world. .
If we have learned one lesson from working on global challenges over the past few decades it is very difficult to bring about change when powerful interests are entrenched. This year, offshore mining companies are pushing the ISA to agree to full commercial operations.
Without swift action from world leaders in Davos, deep sea mining and its destruction, could take decades. Africa and Europe have a unique opportunity to show the importance of international cooperation by stopping this dangerous trend before it starts.
Pascal LamyCo-Chair of the Africa-Europe Strategic Group on Ocean Governance, Vice-President of the Paris Peace Forum, Former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, and Former European Commissioner for Trade; and the Ambassador Nancy KarigithuCo-Chair of the Africa-Europe Maritime Governance Strategy Group, Ambassador to Kenya and Special Envoy & Presidential Adviser on Maritime and Green Economy and former Principal Secretary for Transport and Maritime Affairs to the Government of Kenya.
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