Models in Environmental Decision-making: Possible Applications to Deep Seabed Mining from Other Sectors and Regimes

Webinar Overview

The regulatory and governance regime for the exploitation of deep seabed minerals is currently under development by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Given the unique mandate of the ISA and the common interest of humanity in the deep seabed, environmental decision-making will be a key element in the development of any regulatory code. There are a broad variety of models in other sectors that could prove instructive in considering the path forward for environmental decision-making in the deep sea. From these other models, we can draw lessons about the approaches that successfully support effective environmental decision-making, as well as cautionary tales where governance was less successful.

This third webinar in a series organized by Pew and RESOLVE provided an opportunity to consider models of environmental decision-making models in other sectors and jurisdictions. What are the key factors underpinning environmental decision-making that may be relevant to the governance of deep seabed mining? During the webinar, Angelique Pouponneau, CEO of Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust, presented elements and rationale of stakeholder engagement in environmental decision-making. Dr. Mark Squillace, University of Colorado School of Law, shared a comparison between the ISA and the US mining regime, drawing from a recent paper on the subject. Dr. Neil Craik, University of Waterloo and Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, focused on environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and compared global models with the ISA’s EIA regime.

Pew Commissioned EIA Report Now Available!

Implementing Environmental Impact Assessment for Deep Sea Mining:
Lessons to be Drawn from International and Domestic EIA Processes

RESOLVE hosted the webinar Wednesday, 14 April 2021 from 10:00 to 11:30 EDT, 16:00 – 17:30 CET, 18:00 – 19:30 SCT. Please note that in an effort to ensure wide participation of stakeholders in different time zones, the timing for future webinars will be staggered and sessions will be recorded.

Following the webinar, the following resources were shared:

• The webinar agenda
• Slides presented by Angelique Pouponneau
• Slides presented by Dr. Mark Squillace
• Slides presented by Dr. Neil Craik
• The webinar participant list
• The webinar summary
• The webinar recording (see video below)
  

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Paul De Morgan