There has been a negative reception internationally to the new method of resource extraction
Norway becomes the first country in the world to allow commercial seabed mining, arguing that “the world needs minerals at transition to a low-emission society.» The European Parliament will soon adopt a separate resolution on the decision of this Scandinavian country.
A series of controversial decisions to promote deep-sea mining and further expand Norway's offshore oil and gas industry have left climate activists confused and rebuked by the EU.
“I’m not sure the government has realized how negatively this is being perceived internationally,” — Sveinung Rotevatn of the Norwegian Liberal Party told NTB news bureau. His comments came after European Commissioners in Brussels expressed “concerns” about the situation. on how a majority in Norway's parliament voted to «establish highly controversial deep-sea mining on its continental shelf.»
Energy Minister Terje Åsland said that «geopolitical events highlight the importance of securing supplies of critical minerals and metals from several sources, and that they come from countries with stable and democratic systems.»
“Scraping the seabed and destroying ecosystems vital to our planet is anything but sustainable, no matter what you use the minerals for,” — The International Climate Action Network (CAN) responded. The organization noted that Norway's rationale «has been debunked by leading scientists and is both misleading and blatant brainwashing.» CAN called Norway «irresponsible».
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre addressed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and briefed her on “the background and content of Norway’s approach to seabed minerals in order to avoid misunderstandings.”
He emphasizes that Norway and The EU shares the same values when it comes to European security and competitiveness, as well as climate, nature and biodiversity. At the same time, he notes, access to mineral resources is important.
But the Commission's position on this issue is also «very clear,» said EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski: «The EU believes that deep-sea mining should be banned until its environmental consequences have been properly assessed.»
Although Norway has the sovereign right to use its own continental shelf, the EU representative stressed that the seas intended for deep-sea mining by Norway are subject to UN regulation.
Member of the European Parliament Anja Hazekamp noted that “Norway for many years presented itself as the world's environmentalist, but has now become a destroyer.” She called the country's plans a «time bomb for the marine environment.»
Norwegian environmental and climate activists have spoken out against the Storting.
“This is good news,— commented a member of parliament from the Socialist Left Party and former leader of the Norwegian branch of the international organization Friends of the Earth Lars Haltbrekken. — The EU's warnings against ocean mining show how strong the opposition is.»
WWF's Caroline Andaur told NTB: «It's a shame that Norway will be known as a nation that destroys unique nature in speculative the pursuit of profit in the name of the climate.” She highlights how negative the reaction has been internationally, arguing that the EU will not buy the minerals it extracts. Reportedly, market giants will not do this either.
Meanwhile, Norwegian environmental and climate activists have been defeated by a court ruling in early 2024 that gives companies the right to shed their tails. into the fjord.
“Minerals are fundamental to the production of everything from the defense industry to the electronic products we use every day&rdash; Bård Ludwig Thorheim of the Conservative Party told the newspaper Klassekampen. Solar panels and electric cars, according to the politician, need minerals, and Torheim calls it a “great paradox” the fact that the environmental movement often opposes mining.
«We are not saying no to land-based mining,— objected the leader of the Friends of the Earth; Truls Gulousen, — we say no to substandard onshore mining operations. This is a dirty business, and disposal issues are high on the list.»