The UK government has said that it will back a pause on controversial deep-sea mining.
Instead, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that a new UK-based network of experts will be set up to gather more scientific data and deepen understanding of the impact.
Environment minister Thérèse Coffey said that the UK will use “scientific expertise to fully understand the impact of deep-sea mining on precious ecosystems and in the meantime, we will not support or sponsor any exploitation licences.”
The news comes ahead of ahead of International Seabed Authority (ISA) negotiations starting today,
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The UK now joins over 20 countries that have called for a pause in deep-sea mining until environmental effects are better understood.
As reported by the Financial times, groups in favour of the practice argue that digging up the seabed would avoid environmental damage of land-based mining and reduce reliance on China.
On the other hand, activists argue a pause in needed to avoid irreversible damage that may be caused to ancient ecosystems.
Greenpeace oceans campaigner Fiona Nicholls said: “The UK government’s change of heart on deep-sea mining shows the tide is turning against this destructive industry threatening some of the world’s last undisturbed habitats.
“Within just a few years, Britain has gone from proudly sponsoring deep-sea mining licences to backing a moratorium on them, showing that people-powered campaigns can win the argument against corporate exploitation,” she added.
