UN Experts Praise Norway’s 2029 Deep-Sea Mining Halt as Win for Ocean & Rights

Experts noted that the deep ocean is one of the planet’s most mysterious, fragile, and least-studied ecosystems, containing unique forms of life and serving as the world’s largest carbon sink.

UN human rights and environmental experts have welcomed Norway’s landmark decision to suspend the issuing of all deep-sea mining licences until at least the end of 2029, describing the move as a major step forward for ocean protection, biodiversity, cultural rights, and environmental integrity. The decision—endorsed by the Norwegian Parliament—also includes a halt to all public funding for deep-sea mining activities.

Experts noted that the deep ocean is one of the planet’s most mysterious, fragile, and least-studied ecosystems, containing unique forms of life and serving as the world’s largest carbon sink. Its ecological and climate functions, they said, are essential not only for environmental stability but also for the rights, identity, and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities.

“Many Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities depend on the ocean—for food, medicine, cultural practices, and economic survival,” the experts emphasised. “The deep sea is fundamental to the planet’s balance and to the enjoyment of cultural rights.”

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A Major Shift in Norway’s Policy Direction

The Norwegian Government had previously intended to begin granting deep-sea mineral licences in 2026, but growing scientific concern and public debate prompted a complete reversal.

UN experts said the decision reflects recognition of the deep sea’s profound ecological importance and the enormous risks associated with mining operations, which could:

• Destroy fragile seabed habitats essential for unique biodiversity

• Release long-stored carbon, disrupting natural carbon sequestration systems

• Increase greenhouse gas emissions due to the energy-intensive nature of deep-sea mining

• Cause irreversible environmental damage that current scientific knowledge cannot prevent or mitigate

They noted that the decision aligns with the precautionary principle, a core requirement under international environmental law, and with the responsibilities affirmed in recent advisory opinions from both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

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Protecting Climate Stability, Biodiversity and Cultural Rights

The experts stressed that the temporary halt is vital for climate stability, protecting cultural heritage, and ensuring that communities can maintain traditional knowledge and cultural practices tied to ocean ecosystems.

“A precautionary pause is necessary because science clearly shows the significant and potentially irreversible harm deep-sea mining may cause,” they said. “This includes damage to cultural practices and traditional knowledge systems, and impacts on communities’ ability to participate in cultural life and pass heritage to future generations.”

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Reinforcing a Growing Global Consensus

Norway’s decision strengthens a rapidly forming international movement calling for a pause or moratorium on deep-sea mining. To date, 40 states have expressed support for such a pause, reflecting widespread recognition that the risks to the environment, the climate system, and human rights remain too great to justify proceeding.

“As pressures on deep-sea extraction rise, states must ensure their decisions are guided not by short-term resource interests but by their binding obligations to protect the marine environment and uphold human rights,” the experts said.

They highlighted, in particular, the rights of Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities whose identities, livelihoods, and cultural heritage are closely tied to a healthy ocean, and reaffirmed that everyone has the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

The experts concluded by urging governments worldwide to prioritise robust scientific evidence, strong governance safeguards, and human rights when considering ocean-mining policies.