Routledge Handbook of Seabed Mining and the Law of the Sea

The exploration of seabed natural resources has increased due to the green transition, climate change, and concerns about terrestrial mineral scarcity. However, there are concerns about the potential environmental and social impacts of these activities. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the regulatory frameworks applicable to the exploration and exploitation of seabed minerals on the continental shelf and the Area, as well as the related state of the science. It is designed to become the essential handbook on the matter and addresses contemporary and prospective issues, including non-Party States to UNCLOS. Chapters I.3, IV.1, and VI.1.4 are freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF.

Format: Hardback
Length: 454 pages
Publication date: 29 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

For years, the exploration of seabed natural resources has been an ongoing endeavor, while the exploitation of deep marine areas has remained largely unrealistic due to the availability and costs of land-based minerals. However, mounting pressures from the green transition, climate change, and long-standing fears of terrestrial mineral scarcity have brought exploitation prospects closer to reality. This has sparked concern among a growing chorus of states, scientists, industries, NGOs, and parts of civil society regarding the potential environmental and social impacts of these activities. As a result, the idea of a moratorium or "precautionary pause" is gaining traction. Nonetheless, significant challenges remain in interpreting and implementing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement, which are necessary to move forward in accordance with international law.

To address these issues, this multidisciplinary book has been designed to become the essential handbook on the subject. It provides a comprehensive global overview of the national, regional, and international regulatory frameworks applicable to the exploration and exploitation of seabed minerals on the continental shelf and the Area, as well as the related state of the science on the matter. By presenting historical and geopolitical context crucial to understanding regulation evolution, the book equips readers with foundational legal and policy knowledge. It further addresses contemporary and prospective issues and offers unique insights into regional and national practices, including non-Party States to UNCLOS.

Chapters I.3, IV.1, and VI.1.4 of this book are freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND)] 4.0 license.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138387614