{"id":58793,"date":"2023-03-22T11:12:51","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T10:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=58793"},"modified":"2024-12-16T18:34:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T17:34:20","slug":"greenpeace-activists-interrupt-investors-conference-stop-deep-sea-mining","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/press-release\/58793\/greenpeace-activists-interrupt-investors-conference-stop-deep-sea-mining\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenpeace activists interrupt investors conference to say: Stop deep sea mining!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Zurich \u2013 Greenpeace Switzerland activists interrupted The Metals Company CEO\u2019s speech at an international meeting for investors in Zurich<\/a> to highlight the risks of deep sea mining. Activists held banners that read \u201cStop Deep Sea Mining\u201d, visible behind Gerard Barron through a window of The Dolder Grand conference hall. <\/p>\n\n

Iris Menn, marine biologist and Executive Director of Greenpeace Switzerland said:<\/strong> \u201cThe deep sea is one of the largest habitats and one of the last barely touched ecosystems. Commercial exploitation would destroy its biodiversity and risks releasing climate-damaging carbon stored in its sediments. Deep sea mining companies promise to deliver a green future built on metals that studies show the seabed simply won\u2019t provide<\/a>. Banks and investors should steer clear of this greenwash and break ties with businesses that are incompatible with a sustainable future\u201d.<\/p>\n\n

While investors gather in Zurich, governments at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) [1] are meeting in Jamaica to negotiate whether to allow deep sea mining to start or not. In a bid that aims to put pressure on delegates at the ISA and rush the start of deep sea mining, Canadian The Metals Company<\/a>, partnered with the Pacific island Nauru<\/a> in 2021, triggered the “two-year rule”, an obscure and controversial legal loophole<\/a> that sets an ultimatum for governments. <\/p>\n\n

Diplomats at the ISA accused its head, Michael Lodge, of having lost the impartiality demanded by his position<\/a> and having  interfered with the decision making of governments parties to the ISA<\/a>, as they attempt to hold full control over whether or not to permit the first commercial mining licence expected this year.<\/p>\n\n

Arlo Hemphill, Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace USA at the ISA meeting in Jamaica said:<\/strong> \u201cAlthough outrageous, diplomats\u2019 claims don\u2019t come as a surprise, as Mr. Lodge has reportedly been seen in close contact with industry\u2019s members. He was even part of one of Barron\u2019s company promotional videos<\/a>. Now all governments at the ISA must make that choice in the best interests of humanity – not the timeframe imposed by a company reportedly running out of cash\u201d. <\/p>\n\n

International opposition to this risky activity is growing not only at the ISA [2]. In a blow to the emerging industry, businesses including BMW, Volvo, Google and Samsung committed to excluding the use of ocean-mined minerals<\/a> while more than 700 scientists from 44 countries signed a call \u00abto pause deep seabed mining\u00bb.<\/a> Moreover, analysts at the London-based consultancy Watson, Farley & Williams said it may prove difficult or even impossible to justify investing in deep sea mining<\/a>.   <\/p>\n\n

ENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Photos and video available from the Greenpeace Media Library<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

[1] The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea<\/a> (UNCLOS) ISA has 168 Members<\/a>, including 167 Member States and the European Union.The ISA\u2019s mandate is to preserve the international seabed and control all mineral-related activities, including issuing licences. It has so far issued exploration licences, 19 for manganese nodules, 7 for massive sulphides and 4 for manganese crusts.<\/p>\n\n

[2] Countries currently asking for a ban, moratorium or precautionary pause on deep sea mining.<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Iris Menn, Marine Biologist, Executive Director Greenpeace Switzerland, +41 79 886 75 92, iris.menn@greenpeace.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Roland Gysin, Media Spokesperson, Greenpeace Switzerland, +41 44 447 41 17, roland.gysin@geenpeace.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Greenpeace International Press Desk: pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org<\/a>, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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