Improving Governance of Deep-Sea Mining

International cooperation is vital for the sustainable use and protection of global commons, especially the ocean. The G20 should take the lead in initiating a global ocean governance process and promoting discussions, plans, and regional collaboration for the ocean economy. Deep-seabed mining, regulated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) under UNCLOS, involves extracting mineral deposits from the deep seabed. The ISA must ensure effective protection of the marine environment from mining impacts. Biodiversity conservation is also crucial, and deep-sea mining can have extensive ecological effects on deep midwater ecosystems, which are essential for carbon export, nutrient regeneration, and larval dispersal. Recommendations for the G20 include strengthening their capacity and assisting non-G20 states in comprehensively evaluating the risks associated with deep-sea mining. This will enable environmental resource managers and societies to make informed decisions about whether and how mining should proceed.