Arctic Deep Seabed Mining: a Comparative Analysis of Norway’s Approach and Global Sustainability and Accountability Concerns

Abstract

In 2024, Norway’s parliament approved a plan to open vast ocean areas, including Arctic waters, for commercial deep-sea mining exploration, sparking international opposition due to environmental concerns. This article conducts a comparative analysis of legal preconditions for deep-sea mining globally, focusing on key aspects such as the application of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes, the robustness of sustainability regulations, the nature of environmental commitments, and the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms. The Norwegian regulatory framework serves as a case study. Key findings demonstrate that both international approaches and the Norwegian framework require further refinement and alignment with global environmental protection mechanisms to provide robust accountability for environmental protection. Amidst the international community’s call for a moratorium and further scientific research, this analysis concludes that the development of tailored sustainability regulations and, most critically, a truly robust and enforceable accountability system are imperative to protect the vulnerable Arctic ecosystem if such mining activities are to be considered.