50 MEPs Sign Letter Urging Norway to Stop Deep-Sea Mining

Last week, a letter to the Norwegian government and parliament urging them to halt plans for Deep-Sea Mining in Arctic waters was signed by 50 members of the European Parliament, citing among others EASAC's Statement on Deep-Sea Mining.

Norway’s recent announcement to potentially issue licenses for deep-sea mining in the Arctic by 2025 goes against earlier reassurances and poses significant risks to marine biodiversity, Arctic ecosystems, and global climate stability.

The letter highlights the following concerns:
Ecological Harm: Scientists warn that mining in the Arctic could cause irreversible damage to fragile ecosystems concerning their biodiversity, carbon storage, and oxygen production
Insufficient Assessments: Norway’s own environmental and geological agencies have criticized the lack of robust scientific and legal foundations for these activities
Nuclear Contamination Risks: Norway’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority has raised concerns about potential radioactive waste and contamination resulting from deep-sea mining activities, emphasizing insufficient data to ensure safety
Misleading Claims: Research shows that deep-sea mining is not essential for the green transition. Alternatives exist that are far less destructive

The letter urges Norway to cease its licensing process and implement a moratorium on deep-sea mining.