The United Nations has urged that any future regulations concerning the governance of the seabed, especially seabed mining, must align with established international human rights and environmental laws. As the 31st session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) approaches, experts highlighted the need for regulatory frameworks to be centered on safeguarding the climate and preventing harm to human rights and the environment. This call aligns with mandates from the International Court of Justice and recognizes access to a clean and healthy environment as a fundamental human right. The regulations should incorporate the precautionary principle, endorsing preventive actions even when full scientific certainty is lacking as emphasized by UN experts.
As international demand for minerals increases to support decarbonization and digitization efforts, there is mounting concern over the potential environmental consequences of seabed mining. While proponents argue for its necessity, scientists, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), have warned of its detrimental impacts on marine ecosystems. In 2021, the IUCN called for a moratorium on deep-seabed mining, citing insufficient current regulations and technical concerns. Norway joined 40 other nations in 2025, implementing a moratorium on deep-sea mining licenses until 2029 reflecting global caution.
International treaties, beyond the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, have been enacted to mitigate ocean pollution and ensure marine biodiversity preservation. A key development occurred in 2023 when the UN agreed on a treaty foundation to protect high-seas biodiversity. Furthermore, the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction was ratified in September 2025, offering a human rights-based approach to address marine biodiversity loss and enacting measures to mitigate potential marine life risks according to the Nature journal.
The implications of seabed mining extend beyond environmental concerns to significant risks for human health and indigenous communities reliant on marine ecosystems for their livelihoods. The UN’s stance underscores the necessity for an international legal framework that balances mineral extraction needs with environmental and human rights considerations, advocating for a cautious and conscientious approach to ocean governance in the face of growing economic pressures as verified by the BBC.