Amanda Russo, Public Engagement, World Economic Forum: +1 415 734 0589; arus@weforum.org
Geneva, Switzerland, 11 November 2020 – A new way to meet the growing demand for minerals critical to electric vehicle, electronics and battery manufacturers could become commercially available within this decade. Significant public and private investment have gone into how to extract cobalt, nickel, lithium and other minerals from the deep seabed; however, more than 80 non-governmental organizations have voiced concerns about the dangers of commercial extraction.
While venues exist for countries, scientists, seabed mining industry and environmental organizations to discuss deep-sea mining, companies that use these kinds of minerals – the product manufactures and metal markets – previously did not have a place to learn about and discuss this topic. To create the space needed for this industry to come together, discuss and engage on this complex issue, the World Economic Forum has launched the Deep-Sea Minerals Dialogue.
The World Economic Forum is an impartial platform for dialogue and often brings together competitors and groups that may not traditionally work together to discuss complex issues. This new platform will utilize the Forum’s multistakeholder approach and hopes to convene responsible businesses and accelerate their participation on this topic. The new platform will leverage experts with different points of views and analyse decision-making systems and learnings from existing industries.
Dominic Waughray, Managing Director, World Economic Forum said: “Deep-sea mining is a cross-cutting topic that could affect both progress on climate action as well as the preservation of biodiversity and is connected with the transition to a circular economy. Stakeholders owe it to themselves and to the planet alike to make the wisest decision possible.”
The next years are critical as regulatory, technology and investment decisions are being made. These decisions could determine the environmental and social impact of deep-sea minerals. Although the minerals may not enter supply chain for a few years, examples involving cobalt mining from the Democratic Republic of Congo and palm oil supply from Indonesia, show that failing to act early, can result in costly efforts to clean up the supply chain and reputational impact afterwards.
A new briefing paper released today, Deep-Sea Minerals: What Manufacturers and Markets Need to Know, highlights why mineral sourcing manufacturers and metal markets need to engage now on the deep-sea mineral discussion.
It highlights responsible sourcing considerations for companies that use or exchange metals and minerals, complementing existing reports on the gap between mineral supply and demand as well as the lack of scientific understanding of the deep sea and potential impacts of mineral extraction.
The paper underscores a trend of manufacturers and metal markets increasing their attention on the environmental and social conditions of the minerals they source. It the first in a series of three about the potential extraction of deep-sea minerals, written for manufacturers and market exchanges.
Assheton Stewart Carter, CEO of TDI Sustainability, said: “Decisions being taken now on the development of deep-sea minerals have implications for ocean conservation, responsible sourcing, sustainable production and even for our fight against accelerating climate change. It is a topic of generational importance. We have learned from other industries - such as oil sands development, hydro-electric dams, nuclear power generation - that when decisions to proceed with megaprojects fail to be inclusive and informed by science, it can lead to delays, irreversible social and ecological damage, or abandoned assets – for once we have the opportunity to engage and contribute to opinions on whether and how deep-sea mineral are developed before the industry has begun in earnest. We should grasp it.”
About the Green Horizon Summit and Race to Zero Dialogues
The World Economic Forum is co-hosting the Green Horizon Summit (9-11 November) and special sessions of the Race to Zero Dialogues (10-12 November). These events bring together leaders from business, government and civil society to ensure the post-COVID recovery is sustainable and inclusive. Their aim is to spur greater climate action on industry, transport and oceans as well as drive green finance. Check out more and view live-streamed sessions on our events page.
Notes to editors:
Read the paper Deep-Sea Minerals: What Manufacturers and Markets Need to Know
Read more about the Deep-Sea Minerals Dialogue
Check out the Forum’s Strategic Intelligence Platform and Transformation Maps
Read the Forum Agenda also in French | Japanese | Mandarin | Spanish
Learn about the Forum’s impact
Follow the Forum on Twitter via @wef@davos | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Weibo | Podcasts
Become a fan of the Forum on Facebook
Watch Forum videos
Subscribe to Forum news releases and Podcasts
The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.
The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. (www.weforum.org).